A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting another teenager of the same age, the Long Beach Police Department said on Saturday.
According to detectives’ preliminary information, they believe the victim to also be 15 years old, but the official identification of the victim and notification to the next of kin by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is still pending.
“I am deeply troubled by the killing of a 15 year old and it is extremely alarming that the suspect believed responsible is also 15 years old. The Long Beach Police Department will never allow youth violence to be normalized in our community,” said Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. “Over the past few days, our patrol officers, SWAT personnel, and homicide detectives have worked nonstop and, through their exceptional efforts, we were able to secure critical evidence, identify the suspect, and take him into custody.”
The fatal shooting occurred on Thursday shortly after 12 p.m. where officers responded to Cedar Avenue and Plymouth Street to reports of a hit shooting.
Officers found a male victim with gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The suspected gunman had fled the scene before authorities arrived.
On Saturday, detectives arrested the 15-year-old, a Long Beach resident, suspected of fatally shooting the other teen.
The motive for the shooting is not yet known.
Detectives are set to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for filing consideration, according to the police department.