Four men have been charged with the premeditated murder of 51-year-old army veteran Mario Morales-Moreno, who was shot and killed while gardening outside his Long Beach home last week. The Los Angeles County District Attorney announced the arrests and charges on Thursday.
The suspects were identified as Taylor Byron Woods, 20, Semaj Lamar O’Brien, 21, Jordan Omarion Stokes, 18, and Tyrell DeShawn Louden Jr., 20. In addition to one count of murder, they each face four counts of attempted murder and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime. Prosecutors allege the defendants committed the fatal shooting “willfully, deliberately and with premeditation.If convicted, they could face life in prison.
Veteran Killed in Senseless Act of Gang Violence
Morales-Moreno, a proud U.S. Army veteran and devoted father of two, was working in his front yard near the corner of 61st Street and Atlantic Avenue on the afternoon of April 4 when he was caught in the crossfire of a gang-related shooting.
The beloved neighborhood fixture, known for always looking out for others, was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He was not believed to be the intended target.
“Mr. Morales-Moreno had his life cruelly taken from him, and four other victims are left grappling with the consequences of this violence,” District Attorney Gascón said in a statement. “Even though they’ve been apprehended, that won’t bring him back,” added the victim’s wife, Elsa Morales. “I just hope justice will prevail for him.
Swift Arrests Made, Firearms Recovered
Long Beach police officers swiftly apprehended the four suspects in the days following the shooting. Woods was arrested the night of the incident and booked for murder. Stokes was taken into custody by Gardena police on April 6 for weapons violations and transferred to Long Beach to face murder charges.
O’Brien and Louden were also arrested and booked for murder on April 8 and 9, respectively. During the arrests, officers recovered multiple firearms and other evidence. Bail for each suspect was set at $2 million.
Honoring a Local Hero
Described as a “fixture” in the North Long Beach community, Morales-Moreno served his country and his neighborhood with distinction. “Mario was always there for you if you needed help,” neighbor Kristi Wyffels wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to support his family. “He was a true patriot in every sense of the word.
The army veteran is survived by his wife and two children. As of Wednesday, the fundraiser had collected over $15,000 to help cover funeral expenses and support the family through this difficult time.
Scourge of Gang Violence
The senseless killing has reignited outrage over gang violence in Long Beach. “Gang violence has no place in our community and must be condemned in the strongest terms possible,” Mayor Rex Richardson said following the arrests.
In 2022, the city recorded 37 gang-related homicides, a 23% increase from the previous year.
Police have stepped up patrols and community outreach efforts, but say more must be done to address the root causes of gang membership and break cycles of violence.
As the Morales-Moreno family and the Long Beach community mourn the loss of a local hero, the search for justice and solutions continues. “We’re here to fight for him and ensure he receives the justice he deserves,” Elsa Morales said of her late husband. “His death cannot be in vain.”
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