Man shot to death in illegal gambling establishment

A man was shot and killed during a physical altercation at an illegal gambling operation in Long Beach. 

On Tuesday, October 15th at 3:45 a.m., LBPD officers responded to the 200 block of East 10th Street regarding a shooting, which resulted in the death of a male adult.

When officers arrived, they located a male adult victim inside an illegal gambling establishment with gunshot wounds to his upper torso. The Long Beach Fire Department arrived on scene and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The suspect, later identified as David Gonzalez, a 23-year-old resident of Norwalk, was still on scene and was taken into custody. Gonzalez was suffering from injuries to his upper torso sustained prior to officers arriving on scene. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released to officers.

Gonzalez has been booked for one count of murder and placed on a parole hold. He is currently being held in a Los Angeles jail without bail.

Based on their investigation, Homicide Detectives believe Gonzalez was a customer engaged in illegal gambling when he brandished a firearm and shot the victim during a physical altercation inside the business. Immediately after Gonzalez discharged his firearm, the other subjects inside the establishment intervened, which resulted in Gonzalez sustaining his injuries.

Detectives do not believe there was any relationship between the victim and Gonzalez. The exact motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

The decedent is only being identified as a 54-year-old resident of Lakewood, pending positive identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.

Detectives expect to present their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later this week for filing consideration.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives Michael Hubbard or Leticia Gamboa at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.