Police arrest 2 for shooting a teen boy

Two Long Beach residents, including a teen boy, have been arrested for shooting a 14-year-old boy last week, police said Friday.

Long Beach police say a 14-year-old boy shot another 14-year-old boy on Feb. 22, while Jian Xavier Salas, 19, was an accessory to the shooting.

The victim had been walking southbound on Locust Avenue when he was approached by a male suspect, police said.

The victim attempted to flee, but the suspect chased him on foot and fired several shots, hitting him, police added. The suspect then approached the wounded victim and pistol-whipped him, according to the LBPD.

The suspect fled the scene on foot prior to officers arriving, police said.

Officers at the scene gave the victim life-saving medical aid, including administering chest seals and a tourniquet, according to authorities. The boy was then taken to the hospital in critical condition, police said.

The victim is now in stable condition, police added.

After identifying the 14-year-old teen as the suspect in the shooting, LBPD officers arrested him in Lakewood the day after the shooting, according to police.

Detectives identified Salas for his involvement in the shooting around the same time, police said.

Salas was booked for attempted murder and accessory after the fact, according to authorities. His bail is set at $75,000, police said.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, according to the LBPD.

Detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday for filing consideration.

LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish called the shooting "tragic and disheartening."

“No child should ever be subjected to any form of violence, and no one should ever be involved in committing such a brazen and heartless act,” Hebeish said Friday. “I am incredibly grateful for the immediate medical aid provided by our responding officers. Their heroic efforts undoubtedly saved this young man’s life.”