On May 10, 2023, at approximately 6:30 a.m., 44-year-old Mario Gallegos was fatally shot in his residence on the 6200 block of California Avenue in Long Beach, California, near Houghton Park. Emergency responders arrived to find Gallegos with life-threatening injuries to his upper body; he was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:56 a.m.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Long Beach resident Oscar Alejandro Chan, allegedly arrived unannounced at the home shared by Gallegos and his girlfriend, who was Chan's former partner. An altercation ensued between Chan and Gallegos, culminating in Chan shooting Gallegos before fleeing the scene.
Later that day, around 5:30 p.m., authorities located and arrested Chan in Santa Fe Springs. He was booked on suspicion of murder, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition. Chan was held on $2 million bail.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute involving Chan, his ex-girlfriend, and Gallegos. The exact motive remains under investigation. Detectives have urged anyone with additional information to contact them to assist in the ongoing investigation.
