Two Arrested in Shooting Death of Man in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore

A man and a woman were arrested in the shooting death of a man in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore area, which the city’s mayor Sunday said is part of a pattern of “growing disorder and unsafe behavior.”

Officers dispatched to a shooting call about 1:40 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of La Verne Avenue located a man dead at the scene, said Allison Gallagher, spokeswoman for the Long Beach Police Department.

“The preliminary investigation indicates a group of subjects got into an altercation, related to an incident that started at a local bar earlier in the evening,” according to a police statement. “During the altercation, which occurred outside … a male adult suspect produced a firearm and shot the victim.” The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson released a statement on Sunday addressing what he says is a pattern of “growing disorder and unsafe behavior linked to certain late-night establishments” in Belmont Shore.

“This tragic incident has once again drawn attention to the late-night environment in Belmont Shore,” Richardson said. He also pointed out that no homicides had been reported in the East Division — which includes Belmont Shore — until Saturday. After a preliminary investigation, homicide detectives identified Jason Loving, 41, of Harbor City, as a suspect, according to the LBPD.

Loving was arrested in Compton and transported to the Long Beach City Jail, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder, prohibited possessor and a restraining order violation. His bail was set at $2 million.

Detectives also identified Dasmine Hall, 31, of Compton, as a woman allegedly with Loving when the shooting occurred, and who fled the scene with him. Hall was also arrested in Compton and transported to the Long Beach Jail, where she was booked on suspicion of murder and accessory to murder. Her bail was also set at $2 million.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting was urged to call the LBPD at 562-570-7244. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222- 8477 or go to lacrimestoppersla.org.