A homeless suspect who allegedly assaulted a man in Long Beach, leaving him in critical condition, was in custody Wednesday in lieu of $2 million bail after the victim’s death a month after being attacked.
Zetty Jerome Welch, 49, had been originally booked and charged with felony counts of assault and battery causing serious bodily injury in connection with the attack that occurred around 8:20 p.m. Aug. 1 in the 1800 block of Long Beach Boulevard, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Officers responded to the area to investigate a report of a man with a gun and found the victim, who was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Welch was arrested that day, according to jail records.
On Monday, LPBD homicide detectives were informed that the victim had died and Welch was booked on suspicion of murder. Court records indicate Welch has now been charged with murder.
He is due back in court Sept. 21 in Long Beach for a preliminary hearing.
The decedent’s identity was not disclosed.
Welch was being held at the Pitchess Detention Center North in Castaic, now in lieu of $2 million bail, according to online Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department inmate records.
Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact homicide detectives Eric Thai or Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.