marcel kayon

Police are asking for the public’s help in determining whether the murders of Marcel Johns (left) and Kayon Dafney (right) are related. Photos courtesy of Long Beach Police Department

Long Beach Police are asking the public for any information regarding two North Long Beach murders from earlier this year, in an effort to determine if the incidents are related.

Homicide detectives recently received tips which lead them to believe the crimes are related, and are hoping witness statements will help them reach a conclusion.

“We’re hoping the public will come forward with suspect and vehicle details,” said Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokeswoman Marlene Arrona.

The first incident occurred on June 27 at about 2:00AM when officers discovered 28-year-old Marcel Johns of Long Beach in the 5500 block of Dairy Avenue.

Police said Johns had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and a preliminary investigation found that Johns was riding a motorcycle at the time he was shot. When he was shot, he collided into multiple parked, unoccupied vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second incident occurred on July 4 at about 12:33PM, when officers were dispatched to a call of shots heard in the area of the 6500 block of Gardenia Avenue. They discovered 24-year-old Kayon Dafney of Long Beach, in an alley in the 1900 block of East 65th Street. Dafney sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

No further information was available about either incident, and both investigations are ongoing. Police are investigating both of these incidents as gang-related.

Anyone with information regarding either murder is urged to contact Long Beach Homicide Detectives Teryl Hubert, Scott Lasch, or Michael Hubbard at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.