A fifth suspect was arrested in connection with a suspected gang-related shooting in Long Beach that killed an Army veteran and father who was struck with a stray bullet while doing yard work outside his home, police said Wednesday.
Jamie Tucker, 20, of Long Beach, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and was being held in lieu of $8 million bail, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
She is the fifth suspect in the April 5 killing of Mario Morales-Moreno, 51, in the 600 block of East 61st Street. Neighbors said he was gardening outside his home when he was shot around 6:45 p.m. that evening. Police indicated they do not believe Moreno was the intended target of the shooting. Another man was also found with gunshot wounds to his lower body and was taken to a hospital.
Four other suspects were previously arrested and charged with one count each of murder and conspiracy and four counts each of attempted murder, along with gun allegations. They are scheduled to be arraigned at the Long Beach Courthouse April 25, and all were being held without bail.
The other suspects are Taylor Byron Wood, 20, of Bellflower; Tyrell Deshaen Louden, 20, of Indio; Jordan Omarion Stokes, 18, of Long Beach; and Semaj Lamar Obrien, 21, of Long Beach.
According to a GoFundMe page established by a friend and neighbor of Moreno, he was a “fixture in our North Long Beach neighborhood, always looking out for others and helping anyone in need.”
Wyffels wrote that Moreno is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting was urged to contact LBPD homicide detectives Eric Thai or Kelsey Myers at 562-570-7244. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.