Long Beach community and law enforcement continue to reel from the July murder of 39-year-old Vernont Murray, who was fatally shot in the 6000 block of Long Beach Boulevard. In a recent development, two suspects have been arrested for their alleged roles in the killing, as reported by KTLA. According to the Long Beach Police Department, 21-year-old Damion Joseph Jr. of Palmdale and 23-year-old Eric Calvin of Lancaster have been identified as the individuals responsible for the crime.
The Long Beach Police Department disclosed the arrests on their website, stating that Joseph was apprehended on September 5 in Lancaster, with the assistance of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau. He is currently being held on a $2,000,000 bail. Calvin evaded initial capture, prompting a coordinated search that included law enforcement agencies from Arizona and New Mexico; he was later arrested in the state of New Mexico and is awaiting extradition to Los Angeles County. This update came after the initial response by officers to a late-night emergency call reporting the shooting, according to Long Beach Police Department's press release.
The authorities have worked meticulously to understand the circumstances that led to Murray's untimely death. On the night of July 1, 2024, Murray was found by officers with gunshot wounds to the upper body and despite officers’ life-saving efforts and subsequent medical aid provided by Long Beach Fire Department personnel, he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Mourning the loss, the Long Beach community is seeking closure and justice for Murray’s death. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, and detectives have recovered several items of evidence during their searches, as Hoodline reports. Homicide detectives Thai and Myers are leading the ongoing investigation and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The police department extends gratitude to the assisting agencies that contributed to the arrest of the suspects and invite the community to submit anonymous tips through "LA Crime Stoppers" via phone or website.
