Long Beach police say detectives have arrested a 15-year-old Long Beach resident in connection with the death of Jaevion Tasby, who was gunned down outside his apartment building in the Willmore neighborhood in January.
The teenager, whose name was not released because he is underage, was already in custody after being arrested for a weapons violation in Long Beach on April 27, police said, adding that robbery and kidnapping charges were later filed.
On Tuesday, detectives booked the 15-year-old for the murder of Tasby, according to the Long Beach Police Department, though it wasn’t immediately clear how authorities came to identify the teen as a suspect. He is currently being held without bail, police said.
Tasby was working on a car outside his apartment in the area of Daisy Avenue, between Ninth and 10th streets, the morning of Jan. 8 when he decided to walk to a nearby corner store.
He was returning to his apartment building when someone opened fire on him, according to a family member.
Officers responded to the shooting around 10 a.m., where they found Tasby with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body and rendered aid until Long Beach Fire Department personnel transported him to a local hospital, where he died.
A motive for the shooting is still under investigation, but detectives believe the teen specifically targeted Tasby, according to authorities.
Tasby was described as someone who was always happy and willing to lend out tools to others in the neighborhood. He could often be seen working on cars in front of his apartment.
The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later this week for filing consideration, police said.
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