Officers discover murder suspect during Long Beach eviction

Long Beach Police Department officers assisting with an eviction on Tuesday discovered and arrested a man accused of murder.

Officers were in the 400 block of Cerritos Avenue when, during the eviction, they came across 25-year-old Aaron Garcia of Long Beach, police said in a news release.

Detectives had identified Garcia as the suspected killer of Josue Manuel Matos, 38, who was fatally shot at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the 2600 block of East Anaheim Street.

Detectives believe Garcia and Matos were conversing before Garcia opened fire, striking Matos multiple times in the upper body and fatally wounding him. He ultimately succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital.

“At this time, it is unknown whether the victim and suspect knew each other,” police said. “The motive is under investigation.”

Garcia was arrested for murder and a probation violation, and he is being held without bail.

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for the filing of charges.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detectives Oscar Valenzuela or Leticia Gamboa at 562-570-7244.

Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

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