The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, at the recommendation of Supervisor Don Knabe, re-issued a $10,000 reward on Tuesday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of 54-year-old Felix Avelar Duran of Long Beach, a mini-market owner who was shot during a robbery in March 2014, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
On May 19, 2015, LBPD were notified by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office that Duran had “succumbed to injuries caused by the shooting.” Since the incident he had remained hospitalized and on life support.
According to the release, on Monday, March 24, 2014, at approximately 7:50PM, LBPD were dispatched to the area of 7th Street and Cerritos Avenue regarding an unknown trouble call, possibly involving an assault with a deadly weapon. Arriving officers determined a liquor store robbery had occurred in the 1100 block of E. 7th Street and the store owner, who was 53 years old at the time, sustained a gunshot wound to the upper torso.
Long Beach Fire Department paramedics transported victim Duran to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Homicide detectives responded to the scene due to the extent of his injuries.
In May of last year, a reward was established by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and investigators released surveillance video footage depicting the suspect entering the store, shooting the victim, and taking the cash register before fleeing on foot. To view the video footage of the robbery, click here.
The suspect was described in the release as a male Black, late teens or early 20s with an average build, and wearing a black hoodie-style sweatshirt with the word “Cali” across the front chest area.
Investigators are still hopeful the reward may prompt someone with information to come forward. Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is urged to contact L.B.P.D. Homicide Detectives Scott Lasch and Donald Goodman 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 the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers website here.