2 men arrested in string of Long Beach gang shootings

Long Beach police arrested two men they say are coected to a string of gang-related shootings between December 2012 and November 2015.

Detectives arrested Christopher Gabriel Martinez, 22, on Feb. 25, police said. He was arraigned in Long Beach Superior Court Tuesday on several criminal charges including murder and is being held at Los Angeles County Jail on $5 million bail. Martinez’s arrest came after what police are calling a lengthy investigation tying him to the series of shootings. The second suspect, 22-year-old Kevon Javier Davis, was arrested Thursday during a routine traffic stop.

The shootings

The first victim survived despite being struck several times by bullets, police said. The shooting happened around 9 p.m. in the 6500 block of Paramount Boulevard in North Long Beach Dec. 11, 2012.

The second victim, 25-year-old Levert Johnson, was shot about a month later.

Police say Johnson was standing at a bus stop with a group of other men around 8:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 2013 in the 1700 block of Cherry Avenue in Central Long Beach.

A man confronted him and they started arguing, police said. Then the man, who police allege is Martinez, pulled out a gun and shot Johnson several times.

He died at a hospital shortly after.

There were no victims in the third shooing, police said. It happened around 1:50 p.m. Nov. 25, 2015 near East Pacific Coast Highway and Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue.

When they got to the scene, officers found a vehicle showing signs of gunshot damage.

Arrests and charges

In addition to the murder charge, Martinez faces one count of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a firearm, one count of discharging a firearm with gross negligence and three gun enhancements, police said.

Davis was arrested Thursday after officers in a specialized unit known as the Directed Enforcement Team saw a vehicle make a traffic violation near Fifth Street and Chestnut Avenue in the Willmore City neighborhood.

Davis led officers on a short, low-speed chase that ended in the 300 block of Daisy Avenue near Long Beach Superior Court.

Officers consulted with detectives about their investigation into the shootings and Davis was arrested for his alleged involvement with Martinez in the Nov. 25 shooting.

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Police booked Davis on suspicion of assault with a firearm, a gang enhancement and evading a police officer.

He is being held at Long Beach City Jail without bail because he violated conditions of his probation.

Davis will be arraigned March 7 in Long Beach Superior Court.

How you can help

The investigations continue and police encourage anyone with information regarding the murder of Levert Johnson is urged to call Homicide Detective Donald Goodman at 562-570-7244.

Anyone with information regarding the shootings is urged to call the Gang Investigation Section at 562-570-7370.

Those who want to stay anonymous can call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

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