5 charged in killing of 51-year-old Long Beach man shot while doing yard work at his home

LONG BEACH, Calif. (CNS) -- Five men were charged Wednesday in connection with a suspected gang-related shooting in Long Beach that killed an Army veteran and father who was struck with an apparently stray bullet while doing yard work at his home.

Mario Morales-Moreno, 51, was shot around 6:45 p.m. April 4 in the 600 block of East 61st Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department. He died at the scene. Another man was found with gunshot wounds to his lower body, and he was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

Neighbors said Moreno was gardening outside his home when he was shot. Police said they believe the shooting was gang-related, but the investigation was continuing.

"Investigators do not believe that Mr. Morales-Moreno was the intended target," Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said. "He was innocently going about his night when he was hit by a stray bullet."

"Mr. Morales-Moreno was an American hero," Gascón continued. "He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He had recently completed over two decades of service including two tours of combat."

Long Beach police on Wednesday announced that five men were arrested in connection with the killing:

• Taylor Byron Woods, 20, of Bellflower, was arrested on the night of the crime for allegedly possessing a firearm. He was booked Monday in connection with the killing.

• Tyrell Deshawn Louden, 20, of Indio, was arrested Tuesday by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department in the city of Indio and taken to Long Beach City Jail.

• Jordan Omarion Stokes, 18, of Long Beach, was arrested Saturday by the Gardena Police Department on separate weapons violations, but was then booked by Long Beach police Tuesday in connection with the killing.

The 51-year-old Long Beach resident was doing yard work outside his own home when he was gunned down.

• Semaj Lamar Obrien, 21, of Long Beach, was arrested on Monday.

• Jaimie Tucker, 20, of Long Beach was also arrested and booked.

"During the arrests, officers recovered multiple firearms," police said. "Detectives served search warrants in the cities of Long Beach, Bellflower, and Indio."

All five men were charged Wednesday with one count each of murder and conspiracy and four counts each of attempted murder, along with gun allegations. Their arraignment at the Long Beach Courthouse was postponed until April 25, but they were ordered to be held without bail.

"Gang-related violence has no place in any part of our city, and this callous criminal act has forever changed the lives of Mr. Moreno's family," said LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish.

"The tireless investigative work and arrests of these suspects again demonstrates the commitment of our personnel to hold violent individuals accountable and take dangerous firearms out of their hands," Hebeish said.

"Through their efforts, along with the assistance of our community, detectives were able to safely arrest the suspects within days of this crime, while also recovering multiple firearms," Hebeish said.

Kristi Wyffels, a friend and neighbor of Moreno, established a GoFundMe page on behalf of the family, writing that he was a "fixture in our North Long Beach neighborhood, always looking out for others and helping anyone in need." As of Wednesday, more than $15,000 had been raised.

Wyffels wrote that Moreno is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter, Fernanda Sandoval.

"Having them in custody means nothing if they do not receive the sentencing that they deserve," said Sandoval, who said she's relieved those responsible have been caught and hope the sacrifices her father made for the country and his loved ones weren't in vain.

"We were always the number priority to him," she said. "He touched the lives of everyone around him and we will never forget him."

Bail has been set at $8 million for each of the suspects. They are set to appear in court on April 25.

Anyone with additional information on the case was urged to call Detectives Eric Thai or Kelsey Myers at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or via the website www.LACrimeStoppers.org.