Long Beach police have apprehended a suspect in connection to the murder of Dwayne Walton, the 32-year-old Los Angeles man fatally shot last December. The Long Beach Police Department announced that 18-year-old Mario Amarion Jennings was arrested on Thursday and is currently held at Long Beach City Jail on a $3,000,000 bail. The arrest was a coordinated effort with the San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team, as detailed in an update from the Long Beach Police Department.
Investigators worked diligently to swiftly identify and locate Jennings, who resides in Rancho Cucamonga. The exact events leading up to Walton's death remain unclear, with officials claiming that motive and circumstances are still under close investigation. Information about the case has been minimal but forthcoming, leaving members of the public to try to piece together the tragic incident in the absence of definitive narratives.
The initial shooting occurred on Dec. 10, 2024, around 1:14 p.m. on the 900 block of Via Carmelitos. Officers arrived in response to reports of gunfire and found Walton critically wounded, as reported by the LBPD. Although medical attention was administered by the officers followed by Long Beach Fire Department personnel, Walton was declared deceased at the scene.
The Long Beach Police Department is continuing to appeal to the public for additional witnesses or information that might shed light on the case. Homicide Detectives Eric Thai and Chasen Contreras have been actively working on the investigation and are the points of contact for anyone who might be able to contribute further details. The department has offered multiple avenues for individuals to come forward with information, emphasizing the option for witnesses to provide details anonymously through "LA Crime Stoppers."
