Marathon Burger grand opening interrupted by nearby gunfire; 1 dead
Two other victims are in stable condition at a local hospital, according to authorities.
One person is dead and two others were wounded during a shooting Sunday in Downtown Long Beach near the grand opening celebration for Marathon Burger on Pine Avenue.
Just after 3:30 p.m., police responded to the restaurant at 245 Pine Ave. following reports of a shooting with “multiple victims,” according to the Long Beach Police Department.
Long Beach Fire Department personnel transported three victims to a local hospital, one in critical and two in stable condition, according to a department spokesperson.
One of the victims later died at the hospital, according to the LBPD.
Mayor Rex Richardson in a statement Sunday night said he is "outraged and saddened" by the shooting.
"This violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Richardson said, adding that the day was supposed to be a celebration and proud moment for the community. "Let me be clear: we will not allow violence to define our downtown or undermine the progress we are making. We will not retreat from investing in safe, active public spaces."
Founded by Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom, brother of the late rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle, Marathon Burger’s Long Beach restaurant is the company’s fourth location, joining West Hollywood, Venice and Canoga Park. The Long Beach opening drew hundreds to Pine Avenue, including rappers Snoop Dogg and YG.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Richardson, the celebration continued. With people anxiously waiting for their chance to try the burgers, shots rang out, with video footage from the scene showing onlookers fleeing.
Footage shows police at a parking garage on Broadway, just east of Pine Avenue, arresting one man while another walks out with his hands up saying he is unsure if he has been shot or not.
Another man, who can be seen holding an infant, was screaming “I got a baby with me, [n-word]. Fuck is y’all [n-words] doing? The fuck going on? Stop fucking this shit up!”
“The motive, circumstances of the shooting, and suspect information remain under investigation,” according to the LBPD.
Multiple sources, meanwhile, have told the Watchdog they believe Blacc Sam and his associates were the targets of the attack.
Following the shooting, the event continued on, according to witnesses. The wait time for a burger back at Marathon was over an hour: “They were still ordering,” one witness said, adding that police tried to shut down the event, but Asghedom refused.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from Mayor Rex Richardson.
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