A man was pronounced dead after being severely injured in a carjacking in Long Beach last weekend, and a suspect is now in custody after a tense standoff with the police. On the morning of June 23, officers were dispatched to the junction of Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Fe Avenue. On arrival, they encountered a gravely injured man, later identified as 59-year-old Juan Morales, as per information from Long Beach Police Department. Despite fast action from emergency responders, Morales succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital.
The suspect, Juan Manuel Morales Jr., was apprehended after causing a disturbance at a business on Artesia Boulevard. Officers recognized Morales' vehicle and linked it to the murder investigation. Initial efforts to coax the suspect out failed, and it ultimately took the use of a conducted electrical weapon to detain him. According to a report by Hoodline, the suspect was treated at a hospital before being booked on murder charges and for two standing warrants. His bail is set at $2,350,000.
Details surrounding these events were sparse initially. The Long Beach Police Department has since confirmed that Morales and the suspect were involved in a dispute that escalated, culminating in the fatal injuries. The investigation into the motives behind the incident is currently ongoing. Police have turned to the community, encouraging anyone with information to come forward, either by directly contacting detectives or by anonymously via the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline.
Witness cooperation is crucial in cases such as the murder of Juan Morales. Homicide Detectives Ethan Shear and Chasen Contreras can be contacted for any leads at (562) 570-7244, and as an alternative, "LA Crime Stoppers" is prepared to take anonymous tips at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or via their website and mobile app, seeking to provide a safe avenue for information sharing that could aid the investigation.
