A pair of Friday night fatal shootings in Long Beach—which occurred within two hours of each other—are being investigated as possibly gang-related, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officials said.

On Friday, June 5, at about 10:00PM, Long Beach police officers responded to a shooting at the 1200 block of East 17th Street.

Upon arrival, police discovered 20-year-old Anthony Holston of Long Beach struck in the upper body by gunshots. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) paramedics transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

Police determined Holston was involved in a dispute with an unknown number of male subjects before it escalated and the victim and suspects—who remain outstanding—exchanged gunfire.

About two hours later, at 11:55PM, police responded to a shooting at the 5400 block of North Elm Avenue.

Authorities arrived to discover 18-year-old Ruben Martinez Barrera of Long Beach struck by gunfire in the upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene by LBFD paramedics.

The motive for the shooting is unknown, officials said.

Police do not believe the shootings are related to each other. 

Anyone with information regarding the shooting of Martinez Barrera is urged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Teryl Hubert and Michael Hubbard at (562) 570-7244. 

Anyone with information regarding the shooting of Holston is urged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Hugo Cortes and Oscar Valenzuela at (562) 570-7244.

Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.