The two suspects in the deadly shooting of a 20-year-old Long Beach Sunday night knew the victim and were trying to rob him shortly after meeting up together, according to police.
Police say Robert Mallard, 23, John Nelson II, 19, and Kelvin Montoya, 20, were in a car together after meeting up to purchase marijuana when a fight broke out among the three.
They were in the city of Long Beach near the area of 29th Street and Chestnut Avenue when the fight escalated into a shooting and stabbing, according to police.
Authorities responded to the scene around 7:21 p.m. and located Montoya suffering from injuries to his upper and lower body. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.
Mallard and Nelson both suffered injuries during the fight, according to police, and were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
After gathering evidence identifying them as suspects in the crime, authorities detained them, police said. Officers also located a firearm while investigating the crime scene, police said.
Mallard was taken into custody on suspicion of murder, battery and robbery, booking records show. Nelson, meanwhile, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and robbery. They were both jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, records show.
Detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later this week for filing consideration, the LBPD said.
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