A 14-year-old boy was arrested this week on suspicion of attempted murder in the daytime, gang-related shooting of another 14-year-old boy in Long Beach this week, authorities said.
Long Beach police were called about 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, to the 5300 block of Elm Avenue on a report of a shooting and found the victim, also 14, with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body, police said.
Officers used chest seals and a tourniquet on the boy before paramedics arrived and took him to a hospital, where he was in critical condition, police said.
Gang detectives learned the victim was walking southbound on Locust Avenue, a block west of Elm Avenue, when he was approached by the 14-year-old suspect, police said. The victim attempted to run away, but the suspect gave chase and fired several shots, hitting him.
The suspect then caught up to and pistol-whipped the victim, then ran away, police said.
The suspect was found and arrested the following day in Lakewood, police said.
“The attempted murder of a 14-year-old by another 14-year-old is both tragic and disheartening,” LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish said. “I am incredibly grateful for the immediate medical aid provided by our responding officers. Their heroic efforts undoubtedly saved this young man’s life.”
A second suspect, 19-year-old Jian Xavier Salas of Long Beach, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and accessory after the fact for his involvement in the shooting, though he was only charged with one count of accessory after the fact and was released Thursday after posting $100,000 bail, court records show. He pleaded not guilty.
The victim remained hospitalized on Friday.