Long Beach Police Department's homicide detectives have cracked a troubling case, pinpointing the identity of a suspect involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting that took place late last month. The unidentified male, originally referred to as John Doe, has now been identified as a 17-year-old male resident of San Bernardino, according to an official update from the department.
Officers arriving at a residence on the 6800 block of Cerritos Avenue on April 26 responded to a distressing call reporting an armed home invasion robbery. In a house that was terrorized, one teenager and two adults were found after having items demanded from them at gunpoint by the suspect. While managing to evacuate the victims safely, officers located them and tried to negotiate the surrender of the armed suspect in the yard for over an hour. Despite efforts to de-escalate the situation, an officer-involved shooting ensued, eventually leading to the suspect's death in the hospital from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Found at the scene by officers was a replica firearm, casting a shadow over the night's tragic events, as reported by Long Beach PD.
Furthering the case's complexity, an additional twist surfaced as detectives unearthed the involvement of another individual who managed to slip away unseen before officers arrived on that fateful night. Identified as Iskay Mota, this 18-year-old was arrested on May 1 in Modesto and is facing robbery charges, with his bail set at a staggering $100,000. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department was thanked in the aforementioned police statement for their role in the arrest of Mota.
In line with recent legislation, the California Department of Justice has taken the helm of the ongoing investigation per Assembly Bill 1506, promising a thorough inspection of the night's somber sequence of events. Meanwhile, the Long Beach PD is currently scrutinizing body-camera footage from the scene, intent on making it accessible to the public. As the community grapples with the aftermath, detectives have urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to step forward, reiterating that anonymity can be maintained for those who wish to speak through the proper channels.
