On July 24, 2021, Javante Fearence, a 36-year-old resident of Long Beach, California, was tragically shot and killed in the early hours of the morning. The incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. in the Downtown Entertainment District, specifically on the 200 Block of North Pine Avenue. Officers who were already in the area due to increased staffing heard gunshots and responded within seconds. Upon arrival, they found Fearence lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso.
An off-duty nurse who happened to be nearby provided immediate aid until Long Beach Fire personnel arrived and transported Fearence to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from a verbal dispute between Fearence and the suspect, who was later identified as Daniel Williams, a 24-year-old resident of Santa Ana. Williams allegedly produced a firearm during the altercation and shot Fearence multiple times before fleeing the scene on foot. A second victim, who was an unintended target, also suffered a gunshot wound to the upper torso but survived after receiving medical treatment.
Later that day, detectives from the Special Investigations Division arrested Williams at his residence in Santa Ana. He was found in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest. Williams was subsequently booked on charges of murder, attempted murder, and carrying a concealed weapon. He was held in the Long Beach City Jail with bail set at $2,000,000. The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
The murder of Javante Fearence was investigated as possibly gang-related, although the exact motive remained unclear. The Long Beach Police Department utilized various investigative and patrol resources, along with available technology, to ensure that the person responsible for this crime was brought to justice. The incident highlighted the ongoing issues of gun violence and the need for continued efforts to address such crimes in the community.
