Long Beach City Leaders Join Forces with Family to Offer Reward in Shooting of 12-Year-Old Boy
Long Beach, CA -On May 9, Eric Brown was walking down the street with two friends when they were confronted by two masked men in a car who proceeded to open fire. Eric was shot in the back of the head, while a 14-year-old girl was also struck in the leg but survived the shooting.
Now, city leaders are collaborating with the boy’s family to establish a reward fund aimed at gathering information that could lead to an arrest in the case.
Since then, Brown’s family has been grappling with the devastating loss of and are desperately seeking answers regarding the senseless killing of a young child.
During the recent Long Beach City Council meeting, numerous family members passionately addressed city leaders, urging them to establish a reward system to encourage the community to come forward with information about the murder.
Mayor Richardson and the council plan to engage in discussions with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, seeking financial assistance to establish a $25,000 reward fund. This effort aims to motivate individuals with knowledge of the incident to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigation.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, speaking with KCAL News, emphasized the need for action, stating, “No young person should have to live in fear. Young boys and young men of color already face challenges…we as a society, as a community, need to stand together and draw the line.”
While the reward is a significant step in the right direction, Eric Brown’s aunt, Marcedes Joseph, expressed the family’s ultimate desire for the gunmen to turn themselves in. She suggested utilizing the reward funds for additional measures to protect children who still have to navigate the city’s streets, such as enhanced security measures or creating a memorial mural or street sign in Eric’s honor.
Anyone with information about the shooting is strongly urged to contact investigators at (562) 570-7244.
“I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye,” said Brown’s aunt Marcedes Joseph.
Read More: Long Beach city leaders pushing for reward for information on fatal shooting of Long Beach boy
