A significant breakthrough occurred yesterday when the Long Beach Police Department arrested a suspect who is believed to be involved in the murder that occurred on June 24, 2020, on Chestnut Avenue. Armando Hernandez, a 26-year-old resident of Long Beach, was taken into custody in connection to the case, as disclosed in their press release.
For the victim's family, Hernandez's capture symbolizes the onset of justice, with three years having elapsed since the crime occurred. Jose Rodriguez, 23, also a resident of Long Beach, was shot at a park on Chestnut Avenue. Initial investigations suggested the shooting was gang-related—a hypothesis still maintained by the detectives.
The Long Beach Police Department, despite having not yet filed any formal charges, plans to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office next week for filing review. During a search warrant execution at Hernandez's home, detectives discovered several pieces of evidence, bolstering their prosecution prospects.
Anyone who possesses information pertinent to the case is encouraged to get in touch with Homicide Detectives Oscar Valenzuela or Leticia Gamboa at (562) 570-7244, or anonymously via "LA Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or downloading the “P3 Tips” app, or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
