'I have to forgive them," sister of slain Long Beach teen says

The hardest part will be forgiveness, the sister of a teenage boy who was fatally shot this week in North Long Beach said Thursday.

“And I know I have to forgive them cause I can’t get into heaven angry ... Hateful.. Or bitter,” Trice Casiano said in an email. “I don’t want my brother’s death to be avenged by more gun gang violence. Our streets and our state needs peace.”

Police continue their investigation into the Tuesday night shooting of Geron Beard Lacy, 16. He was found at about 7 p.m. with gunshot wounds to the upper torso in Ramona Park.

Remembering a life

Lacy was bo Nov. 19, 1999, to Gregory Lacy and Maria Smith, Casiano said. He attended Creative Arts Preschool, the Doris Topsy-Elvord Academy, Jordan High School and a charter school, and was a quick, hands-on leaer.

She was nine years older than her brother, but he sometimes seemed like an older brother because he always looked out for her, she said.

“He was a joyous and vibrant child that loved to be outdoors and any time of day or night,” Casiano said. “He loved the beach, going fishing with our family, bike riding and amusement parks. As a young child he was always dancing and singing to anything that came on the radio.”

Investigation continues

After an initial investigation, homicide detectives found that Lacy might have been involved in a physical altercation with whomever shot him, police said. Whether one or more shooters were involved is still undetermined.

No arrests have been made.

Police believe Lacy’s killer left the scene where the fight occurred, but then came back a short time later and shot Lacy, police said. The shooting is being investigated as possibly gang-related.

Additional information was not available Thursday afteoon, said Sgt. Bradley Johnson, a police spokesman.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detail at 562-570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.

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