*UPDATE* MURDER INVESTIGATION ARREST- 2300 BLOCK OF EAST 68TH STREET

UPDATE 10/25/2024 

Homicide detectives have made an arrest regardingthe Jan.10, 2021murder of Samuel Villalba, a 64-year-old residentof Long Beach.

Through their investigation, Homicide detectives identifiedthe suspect as Andrew Reyna, a 47-year-old resident of Lakewood. Detectives obtained a warrant for Reyna's arrest, and on Oct.23, 2024, members of the Special Investigations Division locatedand arrested Reyna at a local motel in the city of Lynwood.  Reyna was booked for murder, and his bail was set at $2,000,000. 

Anyone with information regardingthe incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Oscar Valenzuela or Leticia Gamboa (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submittedthrough "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org

Originally Published 1/11/2021

On Jan.10, 2021 at approximately 8:10 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of East 68th Street regarding a reported shooting victim adjacent to the freeway, which resulted in the death of a male adult.

Responding officers located the victim in a homeless encampment adjacent to the westbound traffic lanes of the 91 freeway. The victim was non-responsive, and officers immediately began performing life saving measures. The Long Beach Fire Department responded and determined the victim deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim resided at the encampment and was shot multiple times in the upper torso. Witnesses at the scene described two or more male suspects fleeing the scene on-foot toward Cherry Avenue. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, although it is being investigated as gang-related.

The victim has been identified as 64-year-old Samuel Villalba of Long Beach.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Donald Collier or Leticia Gamboa at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.