Two Of The Three Arrested Suspects In Shoreline Drive Drive-By (Outside Hooters) Are Juveniles (Ages 15 & 17); LBPD Says Motive Currently Undetermined But Being Investigated As Possibly Gang Related
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(June 27, 2021, 12:35 p.m.) -- LBPD has arrested three initially detained persons of interest -- two of whom it reveals are juveniles -- now booked on suspicion of attempted murder and related charges following last night's (June 26) Shoreline Drive drive-by shooting outside Hooters at Aquarium Way.
LBPD identifies the three arrestees as:
Jonathan Rodriguez-Zamora, 23, of Wilmington, booked on three counts of suspicion of attempted murder, one count of shooting into an inhabited dwelling, carrying a concealed weapon, and driver permitting a person to discharge a firearm from a vehicle. He is currently being held on $3,000,000 bail.
A 15-year-old male juvenile booked for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and shooting into an inhabited dwelling.
A 17-year-old male juvenile was booked for attempted murder, shooting into an inhabited dwelling, altering a firearm, and carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in a public place.
LBPD's release included a photo of a recovered handgun.
LBPD photo
LBPD's June 27 release says a "motive for the shooting is still undetermined, but detectives are investigating it as possibly being gang related."
The juvenile status of two of the arrestees may raise an issue for L.A. County George Gascón, who has previously stated he won't charge juveniles as adults.
[Scroll down for further.]
LBPD's release says the three persons struck/wounded in the shooting are a 23-year-old man (listed in critical condition), an 18-year-old man listed in stable condition and a 13-year-old boy listed in stable condition.
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LBPD's release reiterates what LBPD Chief Robert Luna said at a June 26 on-scene briefing (reported by LBREPORT.com here): [Release text] "The [responding] officers...were working as additional patrol resources assigned to the area on overtime" following multiple shootings (including three homicides within the previous four days) in other parts of Long Beach. As a result of the increased deployments, "Within minutes, assisting officers were able to locate and detain a vehicle with three suspects believed to be involved in the shooting..."
The preliminary investigation revealed the victims were standing in front of a business, when gunshots were fired at them from a vehicle driving by. The three victims and a nearby business [LBREPORT.com believes it was Hooters] were struck by the gunfire. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a possible suspect vehicle that was seen fleeing the area and detained three possible suspects who were inside the vehicle. A firearm was recovered from inside the vehicle. There were multiple crime scenes located with evidence collected, as well as surveillance video from the area.
Significant investments have been made to enhance surveillance video systems in the downtown Long Beach entertainment areas. This video evidence is being reviewed and will aid in investigating and prosecuting this incident.
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The release includes a statement by LBPD Chief Robert Luna:
"We had additional officers in the area working overtime who were able to immediately render aid to the victims and also detain three people of interest. I would like to thank all of the community members who assisted the officers in the area by quickly providing valuable information during this tragic incident. I would also like to thank the Long Beach Police Officers who acted swiftly to render aid to all three victims and risked their lives to safely apprehend the dangerous armed subjects believed to be responsible for this crime."
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The City Council has thus far declined to restore LBPD's field anti-gang unit (22 sworn positions) among roughly 200 sworn officers erased by a previous Council (2009-2014) that included then-Councilman (now Mayor) Robert Garcia. On taking office as Mayor, Garcia's recommended budgets also didn't propose to restore the field anti-gang unit.
In Sept, 2020, Councimembers voted 9-0 to support a FY 21 budget that defunded 48 additional sworn officers on top of the roughly nearly 200 not restored.
Since Jan. 1, Councilwoman Zendejas' CD 1 has had 31 shootings (fatal + wounding + casings recovered); Councilwoman Saro's adjacent CD 6 has had thirty one, while Councilwoman Cindy Allen's CD 2 had eight (prior to the June 26 Shoreline Dr. triple shooting.)
This story is continuing to develop. Watch for further updates on LBREPORT.com.
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Support really independent news in Long Beach. No one in LBREPORT.com's ownership, reporting or editorial decision-making has ties to development interests, advocacy groups or other special interests; or is seeking or receiving benefits of City development-related decisions; or holds a City Hall appointive position; or has contributed sums to political campaigns for Long Beach incumbents or challengers. LBREPORT.com isn't part of an out of town corporate cluster and no one its ownership, editorial or publishing decisionmaking has been part of the governing board of any City government body or other entity on whose policies we report. LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. You can help keep really independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.
