Police release video of murder suspect one month after slaying of 17-year-old girl
Briana Soto was walking near her home when she was shot. She died four days later.
Long Beach homicide detectives are asking the public to help identify the suspect in the murder of 17-year-old Briana Soto last month.
During a press conference Tuesday, Long Beach Police Department Chief Wally Hebeish released footage captured the night of the incident. The video shows the suspect, a man in dark clothes with a mask over his face.
“We are requesting our community’s help to identify the suspect responsible for committing this horrendous crime,” Hebeish said in a statement. “To Briana’s family – we will never stop working to find the person who took Briana away from you.”
On March 26, just before 8:30 p.m., LBPD responded to reports of a shooting near 11th Street and Lewis Avenue, according to the department. Officers found Soto with a gunshot wound to her upper body. She was found where she had been walking in the Saint Mary’s neighborhood.
Officers rendered aid until Long Beach Fire Department personnel arrived and took Soto to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Soto died on March 30.
“Detectives believe someone knows who this suspect is or may recall a person that was acting unusual on the night of” the incident, an LBPD announcement states.
Anyone with information should contact homicide detectives Ethan Shear or Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-8477, downloading the "P3 Tips" app or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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