William Luther Hayes, a 38-year-old man from Long Beach, California, tragically lost his life on April 19, 2017. Hayes was fatally shot in the 500 block of Cherry Avenue around 9 p.m. The incident occurred when Jason Monroe Daniels, a 35-year-old man, confronted Hayes outside a residence. Daniels, who had a history of domestic violence and threatening behavior, became enraged upon seeing Hayes with his ex-girlfriend's 6-year-old son.
Daniels approached Hayes, questioned his presence, and subsequently shot him in the chest. Hayes collapsed and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The investigation revealed that Daniels had a contentious relationship with his ex-girlfriend, who had previously kicked him out due to his abusive behavior. On the day of the shooting, Daniels had threatened his ex-girlfriend and attempted to prevent her from leaving her home. Witnesses reported that Hayes was visiting the children he had helped raise and was teaching the youngest child how to tie his shoes when Daniels confronted him. Despite Hayes' attempts to de-escalate the situation, Daniels shot him in front of the children and their grandmother.
Following the shooting, Daniels fled to Las Vegas, where he was arrested two weeks later. He was charged with second-degree murder, child abuse, and possession of a firearm by a felon. In August 2019, Daniels was sentenced to 122 years to life in prison. The court proceedings highlighted Daniels' history of domestic violence and his pattern of threatening behavior, which ultimately culminated in the tragic death of William Luther Hayes.
