Enrique Zarate Lopez, a 31-year-old Latino male, was tragically shot and killed on May 26, 2014, in Long Beach, California. The incident occurred near East 65th Street and North Paramount Boulevard. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, Lopez and another man were standing outside a home when a vehicle approached them. A passenger in the vehicle fired multiple rounds, striking both men. Long Beach police officers responded to the scene around 12:30 p.m.
and found Lopez and the other man with gunshot wounds. They were both transported to a hospital, where Lopez was pronounced dead at 12:58 p.m. The other man survived the attack.
The investigation into Lopez's death led to significant developments later in the year. On November 26, 2014, Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Ricardo Gonzalez, 19, and Carlos Alexis Escalante, 18, in connection with the shooting. Both men faced charges of murder, five counts of attempted murder with weapons and gang enhancements, and possession of drugs with intent to distribute. The charges stemmed from their alleged involvement in the May 26 shooting that resulted in Lopez's death and the attempted murder of the other man present at the scene. Additionally, police linked Gonzalez and Escalante to another shooting incident that occurred on October 23, 2014, on Atlantic Avenue in North Long Beach. Both suspects were arrested while driving in Long Beach and were held in County Jail.
The case highlighted the ongoing issues of gang violence and drug-related crimes in the Long Beach area. The arrests and subsequent charges against Gonzalez and Escalante were part of a broader effort by law enforcement to address these problems and bring justice to the victims and their families. The investigation into Lopez's murder was a collaborative effort between the Long Beach Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in solving such crimes.
