Derek Pouono, aged 36, was fatally shot on May 28, 2011, in Long Beach, California. His body, along with another victim, Reginald Watson Sojonas, was found in a vehicle on the northbound shoulder of the 405 Freeway near the Long Beach Boulevard exit. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) were involved in investigating the incident.
Bullet holes were found in the vehicle, and though officers heard gunfire upon arriving at the scene, the shots were believed to be unrelated to the double homicide. There were no immediate suspects identified, and authorities have asked for any information that could help solve the case.
The freeway was shut down for several hours during the investigation, with northbound and southbound lanes closed to allow the authorities to process the scene thoroughly. This incident added to the alarming rise in freeway shootings and violence in the area at the time, highlighting broader concerns about public safety and law enforcement capabilities in the region. Authorities are still urging anyone with information to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives or submit anonymous tips through their website for further investigation.
More information can be found at [Long Beach Post News](https://lbpost.com/news/long-beach-police-id-two-men-found-fatally-shot-on-freeway).
