Photos by Keeley Smith.
UPDATE | Detectives have upgraded a man considered a person of interest in the fatal August shooting of a young mother and her 4-year-old daughter to a full-fledged suspect, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) announced today.
“Upon review of the extensive surveillance video, detectives were able to track the suspect from the murder scene,” LBPD officials stated.
Authorities believe the suspect may have fled the state and could be anywhere in the country.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity and/or whereabouts, which could be nationwide, is urged to call the LBPD Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244.
PREVIOUSLY: Long Beach Police Release Footage of Person of Interest in August Murder of Mother, Daughter
9/19/16 4:56 | This afternoon, police released surveillance footage of a person of interest who they believe may be connected to the August 6 murders of 26-year-old Carina Mancera and her daughter, 4-year-old Jennabel Annaya.
According to police, Mancera and Anaya had been walking home with Anaya’s father in the area of 9th Street and Locust Avenue when the shooting occurred, at about 10:20PM that night. Anaya’s father was also shot at, but the shooter missed, according to the police.
Police previously said they had no information indicating the incident was gang-related. However, today, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Robert Luna said “all options” were “on the table.”
“This person is described to be a male African American in his 20s or 30s, of medium height, and weighing approximately between 220 and 250 pounds with facial hair,” said Luna. “Thus far, we have been unable to identify this person, and we ask that anyone with knowledge of this individual contact us immediately. We believe this person may have fled the state, and we are hopeful that additional local and national media coverage will help us in identifying this person.”
The footage consists of the man, wiping his neck repeatedly with his left hand, waiting in line at a convenience store just after the murders occurred. The next video shows footage of him on the Metro blue line shortly after, sitting with a suitcase and exiting at the Washington and San Pedro Street station near Skid Row in Los Angeles.
Police said his conversations with passengers on the train at the time of the recording led them to believe the person of interest was looking to leave the city, state and possibly country.
Last month, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Long Beach City Council each offered rewards, making for a total of $40,000, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed the two Long Beach residents.
Officials said police had received around 20 tips in the last six weeks although most were theories as to why the murders occurred, rather than information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murders.
“Our officers have been working 24/7, burning the candle on both ends,” said Luna. He referenced the murder of the mother and daughter. “If that doesn’t tug on your heart or make you work harder, I don’t know what could.”
Anyone who is able to identify this person, or knows of his whereabouts, is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department’s Homicide Detail at 562.570.7244.
Left: Photo courtesy of the LBPD.
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