Man arrested in connection to slaying of 17-year-old Long Beach girl in March, police say
Police say they used DNA, video and cellphone evidence over the last several months to identify Troy Lamar Fox, 34, as the suspect who fatally shot Briana Soto on the night of March 26.
A Long Beach man has been arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl in March, authorities announced Friday.
Police say they used DNA, video, and cellphone evidence over the last several months to identify Troy Lamar Fox, 34, as the suspect who fatally shot Briana Soto on the night of March 26.
“Briana Soto was just 17 years old when she was tragically taken away from her family by a violent individual willing to commit such a reprehensible and brazen act of violence,” said Long Beach Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. “Briana’s death has left her family devastated and has impacted our department immensely.”
Fox is also believed to be responsible for a shooting on April 9, when a gunman shot at a car filled with four people near the city's Washington neighborhood, police said.
On July 7, officers found Fox in a car in the area of 14th Street and Pine Avenue, according to the LBPD. There, officers seized four guns from the car, according to authorities, but police didn't say whether Fox, who was on Post Release Community Supervision and banned from owning guns, was taken into custody at the time.
On Sept. 10, officers served warrants in connection to the shootings and seized a loaded and unregistered firearm from a home in Long Beach, police said. However, police say it does not appear to be the same gun used in the April shooting.
Detectives then presented the evidence against Fox to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, who approved a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, police said.
Fox, who was already under the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for an unrelated weapons violation at the time, was taken into custody of the LBPD Friday in connection to the crimes, police said. His bail was set at $2 million.
“The detectives, officers, and professional staff assigned to this investigation have utilized every available resource to identify and apprehend this suspect, who we believe is responsible for Briana’s murder, as well as two other gun-related crimes in our community,” Hebeish said. “This suspect has demonstrated a willingness to inflict harm on others and we will be working closely with our partners throughout the criminal justice system to ensure Briana and her family receive the justice they deserve.”
Detectives will file the case against Fox to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, who will weigh the evidence and consider the charges, police said.
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