LONG BEACH, CA — A man who was killed during a violent incident near the grand opening of a new downtown burger spot has been identified.
The deceased is Bryan Lofton, 20, who died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office. His city of residence was not disclosed.
It is unclear if he had been targeted in the attack or was a bystander.
Two other victims were located near the scene with non-life-threatening gunshot injuries. Both were taken to a hospital and considered stable, police have said.
According to police, the wounded victims were men in their teens to early 20s.
The gunfire is believed to have erupted around 3:30 pm, a few hours after a noon ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Marathon Burger restaurant, which is part of an LA-based chain that was founded by the late rapper Nipsey Hussle.
According to Long Beach Police, the incident is believed to have originated either in or near a parking garage near Broadway and Pine Avenue, about half a block from the restaurant’s 245 Pine Ave. location.
Witnesses on scene who posted videos to social media said that verbal altercations between people at the parking garage near the restaurant turned violent. One video showed at least nine shots ringing out and people fleeing the area.
No suspects are in custody, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact LBPD homicide detectives Eric Thai or Chasen Contreras at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.