LBPOST.com: Friday Night Shootings: One At Wilson High, One Officer-Involved

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Friday Night Shootings: One At Wilson High, One Officer-Involved

by Ryan ZumMallen | Long Beach News | 10.30.09 |

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The Long Beach Police Department has confirmed that two separate shootings have taken place Friday night, one following a football game at Wilson High School and one officer-involved shooting in downtown Long Beach.

UPDATE (Saturday, October 30, 2009 3:00pm):�Long Beach City Councilmember Gary DeLong told the LBPOST.com today:

"LBPD is the finest law enforcement agency in California and I have no doubt they will find and arrest the criminals who committed this horrific act.� I've been in constant contact beginning last evening with Deputy Chief Luna, City Manager Pat West, both Wilson Co-Principals, LBUSD Board Member Jon Meyer and concerned parents.� All City resources will be available for Wilson High School to access both over the weekend, and continuing as necessary.� The City of Long Beach and LBUSD will team up to do whatever is necessary for the students and their families. Having a daughter who recently graduated from Wilson High, I feel a personal connection to the family who lost a daughter as a result of this atrocity."

UPDATE (Saturday, October 30, 2009 1:00pm): The LBPOST.com has learned that the victim was Wilson High School student Melody Ross, a 16-year old honor student and pole vaulter on the track team. As is often the case in shootings that occur with large groups of people around, police are now saying that Ross was an innocent bystander when a fight broke out and the violence escalated. A Press-Telegram article today indicates that neither of the other two people who were injured last night were students of either Wilson or Poly.

UPDATE (Saturday, October 30, 2009 6:30am): A press release from the Police Department now confirms that a 16-year old female has died from gunshot wounds sustained outside Wilson High School last night. She was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. Her identity is being withheld at this time. Two males, aged 18 and 20, sustained non life-threatening wounds. Our thoughts and prayers to the victim's family.

UPDATE (Friday, October 29, 2009 11:38pm): In the officer involved-shooting downtown, the LBPD has confirmed that a suspect was transported to a local hospital, although there is no confirmation that he was hit by gunfire (he may have crashed into another vehicle). The shooting occurred after the suspect refused to stop his car during a traffic pullover. Officers called the SWAT team, and the suspect was removed. The incident occurred around 9:30pm. More info will be available soon.

In the Wilson High School shooting, the LBPD confirms that three juveniles were hit by gunfire outside the football field on Ximeno Ave. One male and one female sustained non life-threatening injuries while one other female is in critical condition. The incident occurred around 10:00pm. More info will be available soon.

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Related Coverage:

Wilson Student Killed Outside School In Shooting
Friday Night Shootings: One At Wilson High, One Officer-Involved�

Comments

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59 Comments so far.

lbresident
Thanks for posting info about the downtown incident - we were leaving the Yelp event at Molaa and wondered which way to walk home as they were closing off 4th St.

NA
So terrible and sad

danny b
Great job getting this up. You're a one-man newspaper, Ry. Hey, I'd love to see you post the time of the first and the most recent updates for all straight news stories. Keep up the great work.

LB rez
It appears the helicopters have just left from over the MoLAA museum area. Anymore updates on this story? I pray no one was seriously hurt.

lb res
thanks for keeping us up to date...so little info on tv...hope all are ok...

mike guardabascio
i was leaving the game when it happened--apparently three people were hit by the shots fired at Wilson. men chased after the people who fired, but they got away.

Tork
I'm sad that this is happening in the HS that my son is attending

WCHS Alumni
How scary, was at the homecoming game. Luckily we exited from the opposite exit, I wish all involved good luck and a peaceful recovery.

kate K
Good work, Ryan. Simultaneous to news. Too close to home.

Lb res.
I exited at the same exit shots were fired only a few minutes before, prayers go out to all that were involved.

scud
This is very sad. If any students or people from the game have any information, it is good to write it down while it is fresh in your memory. It could help identify the shooters later on. Maybe someone saw something or maybe someone said something earlier in the night.

JHZ
I heard all this going on tonight. I'm wondering if the police chased the guy since it seemed like the sirens came down to Ocean from about Fourth, went over to about Redondo, then back up Redondo and then across Fourth. Scary thing is I heard a couple sirens then right after that two rounds of gun fire separated by a couple minutes. So I also wonder if someone was firing during the chase because it sounded like the locations were different. Yup, I live right in the middle of this mess. And I am leaving because I am tired of hearing gun shots in this supposedly safe part of Long Beach. Very sad about what happened at Wilson. Explains all the sirens all night long. Hope all the victims recover.

cfdance
Yes, thank you for keeping us informed! I was leaving 4th & Atlantic when it all started to go down... just wanted to know what was going on so I can sleep tonight :)

polygirl
this was the saddest thing ive ever seen. I was literally not even 10 feet away from the girl when she was shot.

brittany c
i was leaving the game as i saw the ambulance pass by. i had no idea what had happened till i got home. thanks for the information, i hope whoever is in critical condition can make a full recovery.

WHSstudent
I am 98% sure that the female was pronounced dead at the hospital. I also heard that the gunman was caught at the Starbucks parking lot.

lardgal
We heard that the female in critical condition died just before midnight. We are praying it is not true.

D&G
Wow... To think we felt bad that we didn't go to the game while almost ALL of my sons friend did go and few were just next to where the incident took place. Sad! Prayers out to all of the affected families.

n a
omg i hope she is ok.. and why isnt this #1 no one cares about division 9, guh

Nikol
So horrible Im so glad you werent at that game. I hope everyone is ok, Im so sad about this

leavingacomment
the girl was pronounced dead. a junior at wilson highschool. she ran track. this is so sad. I'm not even upset that we lost anymore. I'm upset about this shooting. I saw the girl lying in the crosswalk. then, she was alive

JR Salazar
And this just adds insult to injury for Wilson. Not only do the Bruins lose the game, but perhaps a life full of potential. My prayers go out to those people down there.

scud
This is so sad and wrong. The poor girl, the poor family and friends. I hope the shooter is going to be identified (at least eventually) and left to rot in jail. Peace to all close to those involved. Heartbreaking...

wchs alumni
my little sister was at the game, but decided to leave early, she already went to bed, and so has not heard about the shooting...its so very scary...those who were hurt are in my prayers and so are those who helped and are helping with this situation...was very dismayed that the local news did not cover this story for more than 2 sec...nor return to it...will be on the lookout for more info...

All About Long Beach
When is this ignorance going to end? Parents, please steer your children away from the selfishness of mainstream society. It's on t.v., it's in movies, it's in the music they listen to and the video games they play. Death is not glamorous.

Wilson Alum
Don't be daft, it's not the tv's fault, nor video games or music. Japan plays the same videogames we do, yet they have a lower violence rate. Europe listens to the same music we do, and they are not as violent as we are. It's the GUN CONTROL LAWS people

All About Long Beach
Wilson Alum, to think that the vast array of media children are exposed to now a days isn't going to alter their mindset, or desensitize them to violence, or make them prone to ignorant behavior is daft on your part. Please remove the blindfold from your eyes and see the truth. "Gun control" is a cliche term that will not take a gun out of a child's hand who is holding it illegally.

Seezitcallzit
Ya stupid liberal, banning guns isn't going to help. They tried banning alcohol and it didn't help, got worse. Banning drugs has been going nowhere for almost a hundred years.

adam
i completely agree we need stricter gun control laws. It is ridiculous that at 18 years old you can go buy a gun but you can't have a beer. No wonder we have so many more homicides in the US than in other countries

JR Salazar
I would like to see the finale between Lakewood and Wilson held at Lakewood, with Wilson designated the home team. It's safer, and I haven't see any shootings happen there. The last things anyone would want is to see this thing happen again in the regular season finale. If they decide to have the finale held at Wilson, PLEASE, LBPD, beef up the security outside the stadium and have cops on the lookout for suspicious-looking people like the ones that took part Friday.

Senior Mom
I can't beleive this is happening to our kids-we can't even allow them to be kids first of all-they can't even attend their Homecoming game-let alone life without always having to look over their shoulder-what is making these kids so hateful towards others? Why do harm to someone you don't even know,and then what kind of person could live with the fact they caused hurt,pain,and maybe even death...its just so sad, we have to teach them to always be alert, and watch all their surroundings-you never know when you will be stabbed, jumped, raped, or even shot and killed....we are in a war zone and our kids are the victims. As a parent it kills me to know it will only get worse in the years to come. My prayers are with the families of the kids that were hurt, I feel your pain, I am a parent too, and never would of thought such a incident would happen so close to home..This is a parents nightmare!

JeffJ
I am praying for the victims. Truly tragic. The reputation that Wilson has is not good and the budget cuts are sinking the school. I hope they catch the people

lauren
thank you for keeping students informed, my prayers go out to her family and friends.

brotchuby
Thank you for keeping the community informed. Our special prayers to the family of the fallen girl, and, our hearts go out the the family's and students closely effected by this senseless violence. Please keep us the community up-dated on this story. Has the Shooter been caught?

lbjilly
Thanks for the update....my sympathy to the victims' family. I cannot imagine what would send a youth shooting by any means--deliberate or or blindsided---gun control can not control what is already out there. It is scary how much easier it is to buy a gun on the street than through a retailer. And these guns are the lowest budget .22 cal that shreds the insides of its victims. WE NEED EDUCATION on what to do when confronted with a gun---face the truth...we will always be at war --somewhere. Learning acceptance of one another and our differences has proven the problem since history began....the civil wars....the concentration camps....theses were small isolated & documented events of what is a daily life in the crammed neighborhoods of America. Bless the families with courage and peace.

LB Local
Truth... Gun Control is for those who show honesty in owning guns, and will do no good to prevent gangs and the like who aquire guns/ammo through hidden sources. However, creating gun control laws will instill stiffer laws, but only after the fact once the suspect(s) have been caught. The real solution lies with the parents continuously instilling family values through the growing up stage, and setting good examples and support for their children./Rest assured, the shooter Will get caught. More important now is for everyone to support the family for their loss.

kate K
Thanks for the update. It's always more horrible when it's close to home and you may have seen one of the victims walking to school or running past your house with the rest of the track team in practice. Banning guns isn't going to help any more than the illegal status of drugs has stopped their distribution. jUst thinking about the kids there off to enjoy a game and ready to have a great weekend--no Halloween horror can rank with what people inflict on each other--I'm just shaking my head.

THAT_LB_GUY
I have no connection to Wilson HS, only that I live in the area serving the school, and that I drive by it many times a day. The students always seem well-adjusted, respectful, and interested from what I see. My sympathies go out to the family and friends of the victim. May her memory spawn a renewed push to rid the school and the area of the thoughtless thugs that perpetrate this kind of violence.

WHS student
I personally knew the girl that died. She was in my grade and she was SO sweet! One of the nicest girl i have ever met. R.I.P. girl. i'll miss you! I also want to know where on her body did she get shot to make it this so critical.

Lakewood Volleyball
Rest in Peace girl... You didnt deserve to get shot. You didnt do anything wrong. It doesnt matter where she got shot, you can get die from a gunshot anywhere if it hits the right artery or vein... that shooter is A COWARD. AND IF HE READS THIS YOUR SCUM OF THIS EARTH!

WilsonMom/Alum
My daughter decided last minute not to go to the game. She knew the girl who died she was in her class. You would think your children would be safe at their own HS game and then traggic happens. It makes you think twice letting them go in the future. My prayers are with the family...

k.s.
the girl who died was a friend of mine and a dear friend to many. for all who dont know, she was not involved in any gang related actvities and was one of the sweetest girls you could ever know. for parents that are concerned, wilson is a great school and i dont think that there is anything you should worry about. since her identity is not allowed in this i cannot say it but i say this prayer to her: we will all miss you and love you forever and we can't wait to one day see you again in heaven.

whs alumni
News travels fast. As a Wilson Alumni I almost went to that game. Hearing the news clear up in Bishop put me in schock. No student, Wilson or any other should be shot because of the school they attend. This is just terrible. Wilson was a good school when I attended and I understand it still is. A shooting in the area doesn't make the school bad. School rivalry needs to stop when it leads to something so drastic as shootings. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We too have a 16 year old daughter, who almost went to that game.

A sad student
Im so sad that this could occur. I personally knew the girl R.I.P., she sat next to me in English class and we were both in track team together. I hope her family gets all the support they need adn that the police cath those responsible for cutting a life short :(

lb teacher
I was in with the band when it started, and want to commend the drum major for directing kids back into the building as others were running in panic, and not mentioning the word 'shooting' until we were all inside and safe. I also want to commend the other students and parents who were in the building with me - no panic, no arguments, we waited patiently until we could leave and then set about making sure that everyone had a safe way home. Some of the kids could see the victim receiving CPR from the window. Every kid deserves to be safer than this!

Wyatt
One of them that got shot was my friend.. she was the 16 year old female. We all are very sad about this and just wish that everyone will pray for the family she was a good girl who was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. We will miss her dearly

BIGCRUZ
this wasent about main stream meadia nor was it about the game this was about gang relation about how gang members take to much to the head and think beacuse there school lost they can go and fire on innocent kids is not right for all that

Outraged
Parents should be "OUTRAGED" at the inadequete security provided by the district. After the game, the crowd loitered, security did not have a clue on how to handle the crowd this size. LBPD was handeling a police involved shooting near Cabrillo. I understand that the reason there was not a police presence was because Wilson High could not afford them!! Unbelievable to think that we live in a high taxed area and not have funds for the LBPD? All parents should blast emails to our superintendent and councilman. Now the district will have to spend money on Lawyers for protection. May God bless the family of this innocent child!

Charlie
Outraged now blaming the police or the school for not protecting the kids. There is no way ever to have enough security to protect all of our children when the gang bangers parents just don't care or worse raised them to be bangers. Look who our societies stars are. Snoop Dog is now a big spokesperson at Dodger Stadium! It's not the police's fault. God bless that poor young girl's family. What a tragedy.

WilsonStudent
Melody Ross, We All Love You and Will Miss You. To all who knew her, please come and pay your respects on Ximeno where she got shot. Thank you.

jazzy
to All About Long Beach, dont' blame tv music etc for what you Parents are failing to do. I have no tv, no music and no phone my my home, You should be in control of what your children are doing who they are doing it with and if you do your job God gave you to guide, teach and your childeren, then mayybe some of the killing would stop.

Paul
What happened to BOB FOSTER'S promise for more cops? He endorses busing in mentally ill homeless, not more cops. This in addition to enriching his friends. This is the kind of city that Jimmy Stewart prevented in, "It's a Wonderful Life." May the girl rest in peace and may the spirit of the movie character change this corrupt town.

WCHS Alumni 2009
I cant believe what has happened. This morning when i woke up and heard about the news i wanted to be sick because this girl did not deserve to die, no one does.

openyoureyes
this has nothing to do with the district or wilson...this was about being at the wrong place at the wrong time. this is happening all over the city and we just don't hear about it all the time. what needs to happen is communities need to take back their neighborhoods. this a tragic incident but really stop putting the blame on the school.

Outraged
Charlie..not blaming the Police whatsoever!! I was speaking of zero police presence at a public school function that had over 5k spectators...the school got caught with their pants down, only because they did not want to pay for the LBPD officers to provide security at a school function. faculty does not count as police presence, I was right in the middle of the fracas and witnessed the inept ability of school security to handle the large crowds. Crime can happen anywhwere anytime, however, if money is the determining factor..roll the dice and hope for the best. Well they did, and LOST!!Unless you know the details of the situation as a whole, intead of trying to diagnose societies ills, you will continue to miss the point...SORRY CHARLIE!!!!

Outraged
Dear openyoureyes, lets chalk up walking down the steet and getting ran over by a milk truck to being at the wrong place at the wrong time...not a high school football game...really?..so exactly how do we take back our neighborhoods without being in the "Wrong place at the wrong time"? But Im sure glad to now know that being at a High School football game is the WRONG PLACE!!! Lets hope that you "openyoureyes"

shorenix
My heart breaks for the parents and family of Melody Ross, such a senseless tragedy.

wilson student
I can not believe this happened to you Melody. How could this happen to such a sweet girl, always nice and smiling. Rest in peace Melody. Everyone loves you and misses you.

Long Beach News

LBPOST.com Managing Editor Ryan ZumMallen keeps up on all the current and breaking Long Beach news.

Ryan ZumMallen has served as the managing editor of the LBPOST.com since 2007. He graduated from CSULB with a degree in Print Journalism in 2008 and is a member of the 2009 class of Leadership Long Beach. You can find him on various basketball courts around the city.

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