Following an extensive investigation, authorities in California have formally charged an individual as the shooter responsible for the tragic death of a teenage girl, who was killed moments after speaking with her mother.
Troy Lamar Fox, 34, who was previously held in a Los Angeles County jail on an unrelated weapons charge, has now been transferred to the Long Beach City Jail in connection with a murder case. Additionally, he is charged with attempted murder in connection with a separate shooting incident.
Briana Soto, a 17-year-old, was tragically found just moments away from her residence, as reported by Long Beach police Chief Wally Hebeish, according to The Long Beach Press-Telegram.
“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,” Hebeish said in a statement released Friday.
“Briana’s death has left her family devastated and has impacted our department immensely. The detectives, officers, and professional staff assigned to this investigation have utilized every available resource to identify and apprehend this suspect, who we believe is responsible for Briana’s murder, as well as two other gun-related crimes in our community. This suspect has demonstrated a 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,” he also added.
On March 26, at around 8:26 p.m., police in Long Beach arrived at the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue, where they discovered Soto had been shot.
“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,” they stated.
She was said to have suffered in the hospital for several days before succumbing to the gunshot wound to her head. In April, authorities made public surveillance footage featuring an individual identified as the suspect. It has been stated that there was no evidence suggesting any previous encounter between Soto and the suspect, who was not identified at the time.
Authorities have reported that just days following the homicide, on April 9, Fox, a resident of Long Beach, discharged his weapon at four individuals. Authorities arrived at the 1300 block of Pine Avenue following reports of gunfire.
“During this incident, a suspect discharged a firearm in the direction of three juveniles and one adult in a vehicle. The suspect responsible is believed to be Fox,” the authorities reported.
On July 7, authorities arrived at the intersection of 14th Street and Pine Avenue following a report regarding firearms located within a vehicle.
Authorities found that Fox and a minor were prohibited from having firearms.
“Two firearms were recovered on the suspects and four firearms were recovered from the vehicle,” they stated.
Source: Long Beach Police Department