Victor Eugene Alford, a 37-year-old resident of Long Beach, California, tragically lost his life on May 15, 2016. On that day, Long Beach police responded to a shooting near East 61st Street and Orange Avenue around 5:40 p.m. Upon arrival, they found Alford lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries ten days later.
Alford was reportedly on his way to pick up his mother from church when the incident occurred.
The investigation into Alford's death led to significant developments over the following year. Detectives identified two vehicles of interest—a red Mercedes-Benz and a gray Volvo SUV with Nevada license plates—that were seen fleeing the scene shortly after the shooting. Additionally, composite sketches of two persons of interest were released, including a woman with red hair. These efforts culminated in the arrest of three individuals in connection with the murder.
On June 28, 2017, murder charges were filed against Devin Marcus Wright, 22, of Long Beach; Roosevelt Citizen, 23, of Compton; and Ellese Paschal, 25, also of Compton. Wright and Citizen were already in custody on unrelated charges at the time of their arrest, while Paschal was apprehended in Victorville, California. All three suspects faced charges of murder and shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Wright faced additional charges, including gang allegations and intentional discharge of a firearm, while Citizen was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.
The case against the three suspects proceeded through the legal system, with all three being arraigned and held at the Long Beach City Jail. The arrests and subsequent charges marked a significant step in seeking justice for Victor Eugene Alford and provided some measure of closure for his grieving family and community. The investigation highlighted the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and the community in addressing violent crime and ensuring that those responsible were held accountable.
