File photo.
Reward money for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the fatal shootings of a woman and her 4-year-old daughter in downtown Long Beach just over a week ago was formally approved by the Long Beach City Council last night.
With a unanimous vote, the council allocated $20,000 to be paid out of the Long Beach Police Department’s (LBPD) budget. The amount matches the $20,000 reward approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning in an effort to bring the killer of 26-year-old Carina Mancera and her daughter, Jannabel Anaya, to justice.
“We had an incredible tragedy not that long ago with these two members of our community that were very tragically shot, particularly the little girl, and her mother as well,” Mayor Robert Garcia said. “This $20,000 reward matches the county’s reward, which also passed today, and it’s been something that we’ve been discussing with the police department.”
The two victims were walking home when they were gunned down at about 10:20PM on August 6 near Locust Avenue and 9th Street. Mancera died at the scene and Anaya was pronounced dead at an area hospital the next morning.
City leaders announced the reward during a press conference last week where the mayor was joined by LBPD Chief Robert Luna in asking residents for help in solving the crime. Luna said the department was working with limited details and placing every option on the table.
“We are much better than this. Somebody out there saw something. Somebody out there has information. That’s the only way we’re going to solve this case,” Luna said at the press conference. “We need you to come forward. I want to remind everyone that a mother and her child have been murdered. That’s not normal, under any circumstances.”
Detectives believe there were people in the area who may have witnessed the incident or have information and are strongly encouraging them to come forward. Callers can remain anonymous. Please contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Scott Lasch, Teryl Hubert or Michael Hubbard at 562.570.7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1.800.222.TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.