Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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A 50-year-old Long Beach man has been charged with murder after police say he intentionally ran over and killed his 89-year-old father with a vehicle. The incident occurred on March 7 in the 600 block of West Wardlow Road, where officers found the elderly man pinned underneath a car. The victim’s son remained at the scene and was taken into custody.
Why it matters
This tragic incident highlights the issue of elder abuse and the need for better support systems and resources to prevent such violence within families. It also raises questions about the perpetrator’s mental state and any underlying factors that may have contributed to the alleged crime.
The details
According to the Long Beach Police Department, officers responded to a report of a family disturbance on March 7 and found the 89-year-old victim, William Porter, pinned underneath a vehicle. Nearby residents assisted officers in using a floor jack to extricate the elderly man, but he was declared dead at the scene. Authorities say the preliminary investigation found that the vehicle’s driver, the victim’s 50-year-old son Robert Daniel Porter, intentionally struck the older man.
On March 7, 2026, police responded to the incident around 1:50 p.m.Robert Daniel Porter was arraigned on the murder charge on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
The players
Robert Daniel Porter
A 50-year-old Long Beach man who has been charged with murder for allegedly running over and killing his 89-year-old father.
William Porter
An 89-year-old Long Beach resident who was killed when his 50-year-old son allegedly ran him over with a vehicle.
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What they’re saying
“Officers attempted to rescue the elderly man with the assistance of nearby residents, who assisted by providing a floor jack, which officers used to raise the vehicle high enough to extricate the victim until Long Beach Fire Department personnel arrived.”
— Long Beach Police Department (Patch.com)
What’s next
The judge will decide on Robert Daniel Porter’s bail at a future court hearing.
The takeaway
This tragic case highlights the need for better resources and support systems to address elder abuse and prevent such violent incidents within families. It also raises important questions about the mental health and underlying factors that may have contributed to the alleged crime.