LBPOST.com: Shootings: Two Dead In East Long Beach Incidents

Sunday, March 14, 2010 | Home

Shootings: Two Dead In East Long Beach Incidents

by Ryan ZumMallen | Long Beach News | 02.08.10 |

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Image courtesy Google Maps

10:30am | Two separate, unrelated shooting incidents occurred in normally quiet east Long Beach neighborhoods over the weekend. One man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Saturday and another man was found dead in the street with a gunshot wound to the upper-body on Sunday.

As the Press-Telegram reports in this article, 44-year old James Scarcella allegedly shot a 19-year old female relative around 3:45am on Saturday. When SWAT officers stormed the home they found Scarcella dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. That occurred in the 6800 block of 10th Street near Cal State Long Beach (A on the map at right). The female sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Around 1:00am on Sunday morning, officers and paramedics were called to 2300 Vuelta Grande where a black male in his 20s was found lying in the street with a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police currently have no suspects and anyone with information is urged to call detectives at 562.570.7244.

Both incidents are the eastern-most fatal shootings to occur in Long Beach in more than one year.

Comments

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questions
The first was a suicide. While sad, it is what it is. But the second is confusing. Was he shot in the neighborhood? Why was a Lakewood resident in the neighborhood at 1 AM? Seems like maybe the body was dumped since no shots were heard but who knows...

Jon in 90808
Interesting... It should be noted that in Ryan's recent "Murder Map" story, that in 2009 all murders in LB took place to the west of Cherry (with the exception of M. Ross). Let's hope for less murders (and shootings) overall in 2010....

Paul
Two tragic shootings. What ones are not? However, many on the East Side continue to support social welfare for places other than where they live. It will, and is, catching up. If you don't want it next door don't advocate for it in other parts of town. That goes for our Council Persons too. All of them voted for a mentally ill homeless center that will bus in, no way around it, trouble. Gerrie, Patrick, Tonia, Rae, would you want that next door to where you live? That is just one example, but an extreme one. Long Beach is one of the poorest areas in Don Knabe's district, more on this later, but that is one reason why we have the scarlet letter. Residents need to unite city wide against the crime that is not acceptable and the Council People that think a certain amount is OK.

murder or not?
I don't know if it matters but it is quite possible neither of these are murders. The first clearly isn't...it's a suicide. The second remains to be seen. As stated earlier it may be a dumping.

j a
james, my friend, a suicide, was in critical pain for over a year and lost hope for a life he thought was worth living. a sad story for a great guy. rip james, you'll be missed.

SAD
RIP James Scarcella. Sorry to hear you were so bummed on life. I hope the relative recovers.

Pamela
James was my boyfriend for 5yrs, years ago. He started having health issues about 15 yrs ago. I'm sorry to hear of this... Joan, Chelsea, Ashley my heart goes out to you. Pamela

Long Beach News

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

Ryan ZumMallen is a graduate of the CSULB School of Journalism, writing for the campus' Union Weekly newspaper and serving as Sports Editor for one year. He has written for numerous news and sports websites and magazines, as well as television experience with Fox Sports and ABC Channel 7.