A reward of $20,000 is being offered to anyone with information regarding the weekend shooting that killed 16-year old Wilson High student Melody Ross and injured two other males, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.

The reward was originally offered as a $10,000 amount, but Knabe decided to increase the amount because authorities have announced no leads since the shooting occurred on Friday night.

“Someone needs to come forward and do the right thing and know they do not even have to identify themselves,” said Supervisor Knabe, in an e-mail to the LBPOST.com this afternoon. “This is so tragic.”

Police have released no suspect descriptions and have said there are few leads, despite the shooting occurring in front of a large crowd on a busy street following a sold-out football game between Wilson and Poly High. The Press-Telegram reported today that a fight broke out before the shooting began, but that contradicts what some Wilson students who were present during the shooting have said. One witness yesterday said that the shooter simply walked up and started firing at the ground. Melody Ross was sitting on the Ximeno Avenue curb with friends when she was struck in the torso. Two males that were also injured will recover.

Police have indicated that information is hard to come by in this situation because the crowd scattered when the shooting began. Of course, there were so many people around that it’s feasible to say that witnesses are concerned about coming forward. Either way, the search for the person who fired into a crowd outside a high school continues.

The death of Melody Ross has been a painful shock to the city, as it struggles to come to grips with the tragedy and the fact that little is known about the shooter. The outrage and thirst for justice has been heard loud and clear.

Does the death of Melody Ross mark a new era of intolerance for violent crimes in Long Beach? Personally, I think we all hope so. It is time to condemn all violent acts, as 2009 has seen the tragic deaths of other teenagers as well. A 15-year old boy was shot and killed in front of his own home in August. An 18-year old was murdered not two weeks ago. Another 18-year old was killed outside his home in mid-September. A 15-year old boy was killed outside his home in the middle of the day last January. These were just the murders of teenagers. Ross’ life was not the first to end too early in Long Beach this year.

Is the case of Melody Ross different? Absolutely. It occurred at a school, in the first place. The overwhelming show of love and support from her friends and fellow students have made this sad story impossible to ignore. It shouldn’t have happened. Teenage murders shouldn’t happen. The tragic tale of Ross’ death and details of her joyful life have brought thousands together to unite against violence, to unite against the type of person that could commit such an act.

We'll keep you updated as more information emerges.

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Disclosure: LBPOST.com publisher Shaun Lumachi is under contract with the Office of Supervisor Don Knabe.

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