Ray Cash, a 53-year-old resident of Long Beach, California, was found shot to death on the night of December 8, 2021. His body was discovered on the sidewalk in the 1600 block of Pacific Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) responded to the scene at approximately 11:50 p.m. and initiated a homicide investigation.
Despite the immediate response and medical aid provided by the Long Beach Fire Department, Cash was pronounced dead at the scene. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, but authorities are treating it as a gang-related incident.
Ray Cash had a notable history with the Long Beach Police Department. In 2018, he filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging excessive force by LBPD officer Salvador Alatorre. The incident occurred after Cash's wife called the police to their home during an argument. Cash claimed that despite his wife's explanation that the argument had not turned physical, Officer Alatorre drew his gun and, without provocation, slammed Cash to the ground and repeatedly struck him with a Maglite flashlight. Cash was arrested but never charged, and he later sued the city for damages. The lawsuit was settled in June 2020 for an unspecified amount. Officer Alatorre was suspended for 120 days in May 2019 and was eventually dismissed from the department following further complaints of excessive force.
The investigation into Ray Cash's death is ongoing, with the LBPD urging anyone with information to come forward. Detectives are exploring the possibility that the shooting was gang-related, a classification used by the LBPD for crimes committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang. Despite the tragic end to his life, Cash's previous encounters with law enforcement and his successful lawsuit against the city highlight ongoing concerns about police conduct and accountability in Long Beach. The community and authorities continue to seek justice for Ray Cash, hoping to uncover the truth behind his untimely death.
