Detectives have arrested a 49-year-old homeless man in connection with the fatal shooting of another homeless man near Lincoln Park in Long Beach, authorities said Wednesday.
The shooting happened around 4:20 p.m. Thursday in the 200 block of West Broadway, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
Officers and fire personnel responded and took the victim, in his 50s, to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. His name has not been released pending family notification.
“The preliminary investigation suggests the suspect approached the victim, shot him and quickly fled the area,” according to a police statement.
The suspect, identified as Billy Zepeda, was arrested Tuesday in the area of Baltic Avenue and Willow Street, police said.
“During the arrest, detectives recovered a firearm in Zepeda’s possession,” according to police.
Zepeda was booked on suspicion of murder, being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm and being ex-felon in possession of ammunition.
His bail was set at $2 million.
The motive for the killing remained under investigation.
The case will be presented this week to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for the possible filing of formal criminal charges, police said.
Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to contact homicide detectives Eric Thai and Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.