The City of Long Beach and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors are each offering $20,000, making for a total of $40,000, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed Carina Mancera, 26, and her four-year-old daughter Jennabel Anaya.
Carina Mancera, 26, and her daughter, 4-year-old Jennabel Anaya, were walking home on 9th Street and Locust Avenue when they were gunned down at about 10:20PM on Saturday, August 6, Long Beach police officials stated. Mancera died at the scene and Anaya was pronounced dead at a local hospital the following morning.
“We want to assure everyone that the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is doing everything they can, working 24 hours a day to ensure that this investigation is thorough, and that we’re reviewing every single piece of information that’s available,” said Garcia. “The coward or cowards who did this act will be brought to justice, and to help and assist in that effort, we’re announcing a reward for information and to assist our police department.”
First District Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez looked on as the mayor and police officials discussed solving the crime.
“We need your help. We really need your help to solve this case,” said LBPD Chief Robert Luna. “Unfortunately, we still have very little information regarding this crime.”
Luna said police were looking at the case from all angles, and said the police were looking at every option on the table. Luna and Owens said they have no information indicating there was a warning of the shooting before it occurred.
“Every loss of life is a tragedy. But what makes this so devastating to the community is that it involved a mother and a young child,” said Luna. “The horrific nature of this crime has had a tremendous impact on our community.”
Community members have since gathered at the site of the shooting to pay tribute, with a makeshift memorial filled with flowers, candles and photos displaying moments of happiness in the lives of a now broken family.
A community walk and numerous fundraisers have been scheduled for the weekend, with the community collectively mourning the loss and wishing to promote safety within the neighborhood in which the shooting occurred.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the family, with $35,888 raised so far, exceeding the $30,000 goal.
“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,” said Luna. “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.