Two suspects shot at a group gathered for a memorial Wednesday night in Martin Luther King Jr. Park, wounding a man in the first of three shootings in the area, police said.
Officers were first called to the park at about 8:20 p.m. for reports of shots fired, Long Beach Police Department spokesman Brandon Fahey said. They learned that about 10 people were gathered at the park for a memorial service of someone who recently died when two men approached them and began arguing with them, Fahey said. It’s unclear if the groups knew each other or what sparked the disagreement.
“The suspects left the scene, returning a few minutes later and opening fire towards the group,” Fahey said.
The suspects and victims fled before police got there, but one man sustained a gunshot wound to his lower body that didn’t appear to be life-threatening, according to Fahey, who said the man went to the hospital himself.
Officers checked the area and found a nearby vehicle was hit by gunfire, but no other injuries were reported, police said. They are investigating the incident as gang-related. The LBPD defines gang-related crimes as any crime committed “for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with any criminal street gang.”
About 15 minutes after the first shooting, police were called to the 2000 block of Atlantic Avenue, less than a mile from the park, for a report of more gunfire, Fahey said.
A man told police he was inside his home when he heard gunshots nearby and saw his home had been hit, according to Fahey.
Then at 10:25 p.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue for shots fired. They checked the area, which is just over a mile from MLK Jr. Park, and found bullet casings indicating a shooting had happened, Fahey said.
No one else was reported to be injured and police do not know the motive for either of the last two shootings. Fahey said there is so far no evidence that any of the shootings are related.
Police asked that anyone who has information regarding the incidents contact investigators at 562-570-7370. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.