On July 10, 2024, 72-year-old Maxwell Lawrence Fromm was fatally shot in downtown Long Beach, California. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on East First Street between Lime and Alamitos avenues, where officers found Fromm on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect, identified as 64-year-old John Higginbotham, was arrested nearby shortly after the shooting.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Fromm and Higginbotham were neighbors and known to each other. Higginbotham was booked into the Long Beach City Jail on suspicion of murder, with bail set at $2 million.
During questioning, Higginbotham alleged that he believed Fromm had been breaking into his apartment and poisoning his food, which he claimed motivated the shooting. However, authorities have not confirmed these allegations, and the investigation into the motive remains ongoing.
Fromm, originally from Springfield, Minnesota, was a U.S. Navy veteran who had made Long Beach his home after his military service. He was known for his involvement in the restaurant industry and his commitment to community activities, such as beach clean-ups. His unexpected death has left a void among his family and friends, both in California and Minnesota.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the allegations and the relationship between the victim and the suspect. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward to assist in the ongoing inquiry.
