Man, Woman Shot Dead in Central Long Beach

A man and woman were fatally shot inside a vehicle Saturday night just after 5:45pm. LBPD officers were called to the 1300 Block of East 17th Street regarding a shots call, which resulted in the death of two adults.

When officers arrived, they located a vehicle stopped in the middle of the street, and the driver and front passenger had sustained gunshot wounds to their upper torso.

(Photo by Ryan McGinnis)

Long Beach Fire responded and determined the female driver deceased at the scene. The front passenger was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.


The victims have been identified as 56-year-old Sandra Coleman and 55-year-old Don Sims, both of Long Beach.

No suspect information is available. The incident is being investigated as gang-related and a motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Mark Mattia and Don Collier at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.