Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Acted In Self-Defense: Police

LONG BEACH, CA — A man arrested after a fatal shooting in Long Beach acted in self-defense and has been released from custody, it was announced Wednesday.

The shooting occurred about 8:40 p.m. on July 1 in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, near Anaheim Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

Killed was 25-year-old Ruben Lopez, who was shot in the upper chest area and drove himself to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

A 17-year-old boy was wounded in the lower chest after being struck unintentionally. Paramedics took him to a hospital, according to the LBPD.

On Aug. 13, detectives located and arrested a man identified by police only as Bryant U., in connection with the shooting.

"Through their investigation, homicide detectives believed that Bryant was with two other male adults when they were confronted by Lopez and his relative," according to a police statement.

"Lopez initiated a physical altercation with a member of the group, then turned toward Bryant. Bryant then discharged his firearm and struck Lopez, resulting in his death. Bryant was booked for murder and was held on $2 million bail at the Long Beach City Jail."

The 17-year-old was crossing a street when he was shot and was not an intended target, police said at the time of the shooting.

On Aug. 15, detectives presented their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and although evidence showed Bryant U. was responsible for Lopez's shooting death, it was determined that Bryant had acted in self-defense and charges were not filed.

Police said they were withholding Bryant U.'s full name "to protect his safety and privacy."

City News Service