Man, 34, faces life in prison for fatal shooting of Southern California teen

Josh DuBose
·3 min read
206

Murder charges against a 34-year-old Long Beach man who was out of jail on supervised release when he was accused of killing a 17-year-old high school senior just steps from her home in March of this year were announced Thursday.

Prosecutors with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office allege that Troy Lamar Fox shot and killed Briana Soto on March 26 as she was walking home after finishing her shift at McDonald’s.

The teen was walking near the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue at around 8:30 p.m. and was talking on the phone with her mother when Fox opened fire.

“It was her siblings who found her with their mother, so I couldn’t even imagine what they had to go through seeing her on the ground like that,” said Michelle Fierro, a neighbor.

Tragically, the teen died three days later in the hospital.

Though the 34-year-old fled the scene, investigators were able to use DNA, video and cellphone evidence to link him to the shooting.

  • Briana Soto, 17, seen in a family photo.
    Briana Soto, 17, seen in a family photo.
  • Troy Lamar Fox, 34, is seen in a photo from the Long Beach Police Department.
    Troy Lamar Fox, 34, is seen in a photo from the Long Beach Police Department.
  • The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder.
    The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder.
  • The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder.
    The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder.
  • The street where Briana Soto was fatally shot on March 26, 2024, (KTLA)
    The street where Briana Soto was fatally shot on March 26, 2024, (KTLA)
  • Long Beach shooting suspect
    The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder.
  • Briana Soto, 17, seen in a family photo.
    Briana Soto, 17, seen in a family photo.

Fox is also accused of an April 9 shooting in an alley near Pine Avenue toward 14th Street, according to a news release from the DA’s office.

Authorities say in that case, the 34-year-old exited a vehicle armed with a rifle and fired multiple shots at a vehicle with four minors inside.

He was arrested on Sept. 11 in connection with the fatal shooting of Soto and the April 9 shooting while he was already in custody for an unrelated weapons violation.

The motive behind the deadly shooting remains unclear.

“Briana Soto, a promising high school senior, was just steps from her home when she was tragically gunned down for no reason,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “She was eagerly looking forward to celebrating her 18th birthday and senior prom and instead, her family and our community are left to grieve an unimaginable loss. No parent should ever have to endure such a heartbreaking tragedy. We stand with them in their sorrow, and we’re committed to seeking justice for their daughter and keeping a dangerous individual off the street.”

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Fox, who is being held on $6 million bail, has been charged with the murder of Soto and four counts of willful, deliberated and premeditated murder attempted murder for the April 9 shooting.

He has pleaded not guilty on all counts and is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 24.

If convicted on all counts, he could face life in prison.

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