Marvey Alofaituli, a 54-year-old Samoan man, tragically lost his life on October 15, 2019, in Long Beach, California. The incident occurred at an illegal gambling establishment located in the 200 block of East 10th Street. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s records, Alofaituli was shot multiple times during an altercation inside the establishment. The Long Beach Police Department responded to a call about the shooting around 3:45 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers found Alofaituli with severe gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The suspect in the shooting was identified as David Gonzalez, a 23-year-old Latino man from Norwalk. Gonzalez was reportedly engaged in illegal gambling when a fight broke out between him and Alofaituli. During the altercation, Gonzalez pulled out a firearm and shot Alofaituli multiple times in the upper body. Other patrons at the establishment intervened after the shooting, resulting in minor injuries to Gonzalez and another individual. Gonzalez was taken into custody at the scene and later charged with one count of murder with a special circumstance allegation that the killing was committed during a robbery. Additionally, he faced charges of second-degree robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The investigation revealed that Alofaituli was working as a security guard at the illegal gambling establishment at the time of the incident. He was a resident of Lakewood and had recently become a grandfather. The Long Beach Police Department stated that there was no prior relationship between Gonzalez and Alofaituli, and the motive for the shooting appeared to be related to the gambling activities taking place at the establishment. The case was part of a broader crackdown on illegal gambling operations in the area, which had seen a series of raids and arrests in the months leading up to the incident.
Gonzalez was held without bail and made a court appearance on October 18, 2019. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office pursued the charges against him, and the case drew significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the ongoing issues with illegal gambling in Long Beach. The community mourned the loss of Alofaituli, who was remembered as a dedicated family man and a hardworking individual. The investigation into the incident continued as authorities sought to address the broader problem of illegal gambling establishments in the city.
