The Long Beach Police Department has confirmed that two separate shootings have taken place Friday night, one following a football game at Wilson High School and one officer-involved shooting in downtown Long Beach.
UPDATE (Saturday, October 30, 2009 3:00pm): Long Beach City Councilmember Gary DeLong told the lbpost.com today:
“LBPD is the finest law enforcement agency in California and I have no doubt they will find and arrest the criminals who committed this horrific act. I’ve been in constant contact beginning last evening with Deputy Chief Luna, City Manager Pat West, both Wilson Co-Principals, LBUSD Board Member Jon Meyer and concerned parents. All City resources will be available for Wilson High School to access both over the weekend, and continuing as necessary. The City of Long Beach and LBUSD will team up to do whatever is necessary for the students and their families. Having a daughter who recently graduated from Wilson High, I feel a personal connection to the family who lost a daughter as a result of this atrocity.”
UPDATE (Saturday, October 30, 2009 1:00pm): The lbpost.com has learned that the victim was Wilson High School student Melody Ross, a 16-year old honor student and pole vaulter on the track team. As is often the case in shootings that occur with large groups of people around, police are now saying that Ross was an innocent bystander when a fight broke out and the violence escalated. A Press-Telegram article today indicates that neither of the other two people who were injured last night were students of either Wilson or Poly.
UPDATE (Saturday, October 30, 2009 6:30am): A press release from the Police Department now confirms that a 16-year old female has died from gunshot wounds sustained outside Wilson High School last night. She was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. Her identity is being withheld at this time. Two males, aged 18 and 20, sustained non life-threatening wounds. Our thoughts and prayers to the victim’s family.
UPDATE (Friday, October 29, 2009 11:38pm): In the officer involved-shooting downtown, the LBPD has confirmed that a suspect was transported to a local hospital, although there is no confirmation that he was hit by gunfire (he may have crashed into another vehicle). The shooting occurred after the suspect refused to stop his car during a traffic pullover. Officers called the SWAT team, and the suspect was removed. The incident occurred around 9:30pm. More info will be available soon.
In the Wilson High School shooting, the LBPD confirms that three juveniles were hit by gunfire outside the football field on Ximeno Ave. One male and one female sustained non life-threatening injuries while one other female is in critical condition. The incident occurred around 10:00pm. More info will be available soon.
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Related Coverage:
Wilson Student Killed Outside School In Shooting
Friday Night Shootings: One At Wilson High, One Officer-Involved