Johnny Santos, a 32-year-old Hispanic man, was a father to two young girls and a loyal, down-to-earth friend. He had been an employee with the City of Long Beach's Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department since 2021. His family and friends started a fundraiser to help with funeral costs after his sudden death.
In the early hours of February 18, 2024, Santos was out with his girlfriend in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore neighborhood, a popular area for bars and restaurants.
According to later court testimony, a fight broke out among a group of women inside Dogz Bar and Grill. Security escorted those involved outside, but the altercation reignited on the sidewalk in the 5300 block of East 2nd Street at around 1 a.m.
During the chaotic scene outside, a physical fight also began between the men. A man was punched and, according to testimony and video evidence, walked away only to return moments later. He lifted his arm and fired a single gunshot, striking Santos in the abdomen. The shooter and others then fled in a silver BMW sedan. Paramedics rushed Santos to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Detectives from the Long Beach Police Department’s Special Investigations Division identified 24-year-old San Pedro resident Christopher Rene Salguero as the primary suspect. The next day, on February 19, detectives and a SWAT team executed a search warrant at Salguero's home in the 1400 block of West 9th Street in San Pedro. He was arrested without incident and booked on suspicion of murder and discharging a firearm resulting in great bodily injury. Authorities also noted he had a pending felony case in Riverside County.
On February 22, 2024, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Salguero with one count of murder. The charge included an allegation that his actions involved "great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, and callousness." During his arraignment, a judge reduced his bail from an initial $3.025 million to $2 million.
A preliminary hearing in the case was held on February 26, 2025. Salguero’s defense attorney argued that his client was defending a female friend and asked for the murder charge to be dismissed or reduced to voluntary manslaughter. Judge Debra A. Cole denied the motion, stating, "It's the most senseless killing I've ever seen and it's over a girl fight." She ordered Salguero to stand trial on the murder charge. As of February 2025, the case was proceeding to trial.
