custom ad
NewsNovember 3, 2008

LOS ANGELES -- Five people were found shot to death Sunday in a homeless encampment obscured by heavy brush in the shadow of a Long Beach freeway, police said. Officers received an anonymous call Sunday morning and went to an area between several commercial buildings and freeway ramps. They found five dead adults, all of them gunshot victims, Long Beach deputy police chief Robert Luna said...

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Five people were found shot to death Sunday in a homeless encampment obscured by heavy brush in the shadow of a Long Beach freeway, police said.

Officers received an anonymous call Sunday morning and went to an area between several commercial buildings and freeway ramps. They found five dead adults, all of them gunshot victims, Long Beach deputy police chief Robert Luna said.

Detectives have not determined a motive or identified a suspect. Coroner's investigators were sent to the scene to identify the victims and determine how long they had been dead, Luna said.

Dozens of detectives combed the area for evidence.

Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!

"Because of the rains last night and the heavy foliage in the area where the crime occurred, the investigative process will be slow and methodical," Luna said.

Police initially described the victims as homeless but now say they haven't confirmed that. Officials also were also trying to track down the person who tipped police.

"That's a piece of the puzzle that we're trying to figure out," Luna said. "We're hoping that person comes forward and tells us, 'This is what I saw or heard."'

"The way they were situated, it was perfect in that no one can find the crime scene or see it," he added.

Story Tags
Advertisement

Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:

For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.

Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!