LONG BEACH, CA – On June 26, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., officers were in the area of Shoreline Drive and Aquarium Way when they were flagged down regarding a hit-shooting that just occurred. The officers, who were working as additional patrol resources assigned to the area on overtime, broadcasted information to other officers in the area, and medical aid was immediately rendered to three shooting victims until Long Beach Fire Personnel arrived on scene. Within minutes, assisting officers were able to locate and detain a vehicle with three suspects believed to be involved in the shooting.
The three victims were transported to local hospitals by the Long Beach Fire Department. The first victim, a 23-year-old male adult, was struck in the upper torso and he is listed in critical condition. A second victim, an 18-year-old male adult, was struck in the upper torso and he is listed in stable condition. A third victim, a 13-year-old male juvenile, was struck in the lower torso and he is listed in stable condition.
The preliminary investigation revealed the victims were standing in front of a business, when gunshots were fired at them from a vehicle driving by. The three victims and a nearby business were struck by the gunfire. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a possible suspect vehicle that was seen fleeing the area and detained three possible suspects who were inside the vehicle. A firearm was recovered from inside the vehicle. There were multiple crime scenes located with evidence collected, as well as surveillance video from the area.
Jonathan Rodriguez-Zamora, a 23-year-old resident of Wilmington. He was booked on three counts of attempted murder, one count of shooting into an inhabited dwelling, carrying a concealed weapon, and driver permitting a person to discharge a firearm from a vehicle. He is currently being held on $3,000,000 bail.
A 15-year-old male juvenile was booked for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and shooting into an inhabited dwelling.
A 17-year-old male juvenile was booked for attempted murder, shooting into an inhabited dwelling, altering a firearm, and carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in a public place.
Significant investments have been made to enhance surveillance video systems in the downtown Long Beach entertainment areas. This video evidence is being reviewed and will aid in investigating and prosecuting this incident.
A motive for the shooting is still undetermined, but detectives are investigating it as possibly being gang related. Gang detectives responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. Three arrests were made after the suspects from the vehicle were positively identified as being involved in the shooting:
“We had additional officers in the area working overtime who were able to immediately render aid to the victims and also detain three people of interest. I would like to thank all of the community members who assisted the officers in the area by quickly providing valuable information during this tragic incident,” Chief Robert Luna said. “I would also like to thank the Long Beach Police Officers who acted swiftly to render aid to all three victims and risked their lives to safely apprehend the dangerous armed subjects believed to be responsible for this crime.”
