A Long Beach neighborhood was plunged into grief following the tragic demise of a 12-year-old boy, caught in the crossfire of a violent shooting late Tuesday night. Eric Gregory Brown, a young resident of the area, tragically found himself at the intersection of fate and violence, becoming the victim of a chance encounter that ended his life prematurely.
According to the Long Beach Police Department, the incident was reported around 11:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Lewis and Hill Streets. Initial investigations indicate that Eric, along with two female companions, aged 13 and 14, were strolling on the sidewalk when a vehicle bearing at least two individuals approached them. Without apparent provocation, the occupants of the vehicle unleashed a hail of bullets towards the unsuspecting trio.
Eric, struck by a bullet in his upper body, was rushed to the hospital by the Long Beach Fire Department, succumbing to his injuries soon after. Of the two girls, the 14-year-old sustained a non-fatal injury to her lower body, while the 13-year-old managed to escape physical harm. The assailants, meanwhile, made a swift escape before law enforcement could arrive at the scene.
The incident sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, with residents startled awake by the harsh echoes of gunfire. One resident, preferring to stay unnamed, expressed their disbelief, recalling how the quiet evening was disrupted by gunshots, soon followed by a flurry of police activity.
As the community comes to terms with Eric’s tragic death, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to aid his grieving family in managing funeral expenses.
To aid in the ongoing investigation, police have engaged with local residents, conducting door-to-door inquiries and examining home surveillance footage in hopes of identifying the vehicle used by the culprits. As of now, there is no available description of the suspects, and the investigation continues.
The community plans to pay tribute to the young victim in a candlelight vigil scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday. As they mourn their loss, they also seek justice for Eric, a young life tragically extinguished in a senseless act of violence.