Daniel Jacinto, a 40-year-old resident of Long Beach, California, tragically lost his life on April 2, 2021. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's records, Jacinto was shot near 1545 W. 19th St. in Long Beach. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 1:34 a.m., when officers were dispatched to a shots-fired call in the 1900 block of Canal Avenue.
Upon arrival, they found Jacinto lying on the ground next to the street, suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Despite immediate medical aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A second victim, found in an adjacent garage, was also shot and transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.
The investigation into Jacinto's death revealed that the shooting stemmed from a dispute in a garage, where the suspect began firing at the victims. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) identified the incident as potentially gang-related, although the exact motive remained under investigation. No weapons were recovered at the scene, and detectives believed that the victims and the suspect were known to each other.
On June 17, 2021, LBPD detectives arrested Vai Ho-Ching, a 20-year-old resident of Long Beach, in connection with Jacinto's murder. Ho-Ching was apprehended without incident near his residence and subsequently booked on one count of murder. He was held in the Long Beach City Jail on $2,000,000 bail. The arrest was part of an ongoing investigation by the Special Investigations Division, which continued to seek additional suspects and evaluate evidence. Detectives urged anyone with information about the case to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in solving the crime.
Ho-Ching faced multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm by a felon. His arraignment was scheduled for July 7, 2021, at the Long Beach courthouse. The case highlighted the persistent issue of gang-related violence in the area and underscored the efforts of law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice. The investigation remained active, with detectives committed to identifying and apprehending all individuals involved in the tragic event that claimed Daniel Jacinto's life.
