UPDATE 9/13/2024

,including DNA, video and cellular phone evidence, detectives identifiedTroy Lamar Fox,a 34-year-old resident of Long Beach, as being responsible forthe murder. At the time of his arrest, Fox was in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on an unrelated weapons violation.

During their investigation detectives additionally identifiedFox as the suspecinvolved in two additionalincidents -

Itwas determined Fox was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for being a prohibited possessor in possession of a firearmand had an outstanding warrant for his arrestissued in November 2023for violation of his PRCS terms.

On Sept.10, 2024, search warrants were conducted in connection with the murder and attempt murder investigations. During those search warrants, an additionalloaded and unregistered assault rifle was recovered from a residence in Long Beach. However, detectives believe it to be a different rifle than used in the April 9, 2024shooting.

On Sept.11, 2024, detectives presented evidence to a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and obtained an arrest warrant for Fox for the murder of Briana Soto and the attempted murder which took place on April 9, 2024.

On Sept.13, 2024, officers took custody of Fox from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and booked him into the Long Beach CityJail pursuant tohis warrant. Fox is currently being held on $2,000,000 bail.

"Briana Soto was just 17 years old when she was tragically taken away from her family by a violent individual willing to commit such a reprehensible and brazen act of violence," said Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. "Briana's death has left her family devasted and has impactedour department immensely. The detectives, officers, and professional staff assigned to this investigation have utilizedevery available resource to identifyand apprehend this suspect, who we believe is responsible forBriana's murder, as well as two other gun-related crimes in our community. This suspect has demonstrateda willingness to inflict harm on others and we will be working closely with our partners throughout the criminal justice system to ensure Briana and her family receive the justice they deserve."
Detectives will present their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration in the coming days.

We urge anyone with information to contact Homicide Detectives Ethan Shear or Chasen Contreras at (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.

UPDATE 4/30/2024

Homicide detectives are seeking the public's help to identify the suspect responsible for the murder of 17-year-old victim, Briana Soto.

Today, during a press conference, the Department released video of the suspect responsible for this murder. This video shows the suspect walking in the area prior to the murder. The suspect appears to be a male, unknown age, dressed in all dark attire with a mask over his face. Detectives believe the suspect ran away from the area immediately after the shooting.

Detectives believe someone knows who this suspect is or may recall a person that was acting unusual on the night of Tuesday, March 26th. We urge anyone with information to call Homicide detectives at 562.570.7244 or submit an anonymous tip via LA Crime Stoppers.

"We are requesting our community's help to identify the suspect responsible for committing this horrendous crime," said Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. "To Briana's family - we will never stop working to find the person who took Briana away from you."

We urge anyone with information to contact Homicide Detectives Ethan Shear or Chasen Contreras 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.

Photograph of Murder Victim
(Click on image to enlarge)

Photograph of Murder Suspect
(Click on image to enlarge)

Originally Published 3/30/2024
Homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl that occurred on March 26, 2024.

On March 26, 2024 at approximately 8:26 p.m., officers responded to the area of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found a 17-year-old female victim with a gunshot wound to the upper body. They immediately began rendering medical aid until the arrival of Long Beach Fire Department personnel, who transported the victim to the hospital in critical condition.

On March 30, 2024, the victim succumbed to her injuries. Her identity is being withheld due to her age.

On the evening of the incident, Homicide detectives responded to the scene due to the victim's life-threatening injuries. The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was walking down the street when she was approached by the suspect(s) and a shooting occurred. The motive for the shooting is under investigation.    

We urge anyone with information to contact Homicide Detectives Ethan Shear or Chasen Contreras 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.

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