After an extensive investigation, California law enforcement officials have charged a man in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenage girl. The suspect, 34-year-old Troy Lamar Fox, was already in custody at a Los Angeles County jail on unrelated weapons charges. He has since been transferred to the Long Beach City Jail, where he faces charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with another shooting incident.
The victim, 17-year-old Briana Soto, was fatally shot just steps away from her home, according to Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish. The tragic incident occurred shortly after Soto had ended a phone call with her mother. Hebeish expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and praised the efforts of his department in apprehending the suspect.
“Briana Soto was a young life tragically cut short by a violent act,” Hebeish said in a statement. “Her loss has deeply affected her family and our department. Our team has worked tirelessly, utilizing every resource to identify and apprehend the suspect believed to be responsible for Briana’s murder and two other gun-related crimes in our community.”
The fatal shooting occurred on the evening of March 26. Long Beach police responded to a call in the area of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue, where they found Soto critically injured. Despite immediate medical attention and subsequent hospitalization, Soto succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head several days later.
In April, police released surveillance footage of a man believed to be the suspect. According to reports, there was no evidence to suggest that Soto and the suspect had any prior interaction.
In addition to the murder charge, Fox is also implicated in a separate shooting incident that occurred just days after Soto’s murder. On April 9, Fox allegedly opened fire at four individuals in the 1300 block of Pine Avenue. Furthermore, on July 7, police responded to a report of firearms in a vehicle in the area of 14th Street and Pine Avenue. Fox and a minor were found to be in illegal possession of firearms, leading to the recovery of six guns.
Law enforcement officials continue to seek public assistance in their ongoing investigations.