In an update that brings a measure of solace to a grieving Long Beach community, homicide detectives have nabbed two suspects linked to the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy, Eric Gregory Brown III, and the non-lethal injury of a 14-year-old girl. As reported by the official website of the Long Beach Police, the arrests came after an extensive investigation involving security camera footage and the use of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology.
Reshawn Strother, 20, and Destenee Scipio, 21, face serious charges including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit a crime, with Strother's bail set at a hefty $5,000,000 and Scipio's at $4,000,000. Chief Wally Hebeish expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family, having said, "As a father, the loss of a child is unimaginable, and I send my deepest condolences to the family of Eric Brown – I hope they can find solace in the justice that will be served," in a statement.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors had previously approved and extended a $10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the case. Supervisor Janice Hahn emphasized the importance of community assistance, "If you know something, I'm asking for your help in delivering justice for Eric's family," as obtained by the county's news bulletin. The initial announcement of this reward was made last year following the tragedy, which occurred on May 9, 2023.
Mayor Rex Richardson applauded the police for their relentless efforts and stressed the imperative of accountability and community action following such tragic events. "Eric was a vibrant and joyful child who deserved to grow up and reach his full potential. In his honor, we must hold those responsible accountable and continue to prioritize and invest in opportunities for our youth to thrive," Mayor Richardson told in a news conference. These arrests mark an important step forward in the fight against gun violence and serve as a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done to ensure the safety of our communities' youngest members.
