562.570.5273
LBPDPIO@longbeach.gov
Update 10/23/25:
Homicide detectives have made a second arrest related to the Oct. 12, 2025 murder of 36-year-old Thomas Mello.
Through their continued investigation, Homicide detectives identified the second suspect as Felipe Ramirez, a 27-year-old resident of Long Beach. On Oct. 21, 2025, the LBPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team served a search warrant in the city of Huntington Beach. During this search warrant operation, the suspect was arrested. He was transported to Long Beach City Jail where he was booked for murder. He is being held without bail.
In the days following the October 21 search warrant service, Homicide detectives pursued additional leads to further the ongoing investigation.
Detectives believe the incident began as an attempted robbery that escalated to a shooting.
The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Update 10/16/2025:
Homicide detectives have made an arrest related to the Oct. 12, 2025, murder of Thomas Mello, a 36-year-old resident of Long Beach.
Through their investigation, Homicide detectives identified the suspect as Jose Garcia-Linares, a 25-year-old person experiencing homelessness. On Oct. 12, 2025, patrol officers located and arrested Garcia-Linares near the 700 block of Orange Avenue. Garcia-Linares was booked for murder and is being held without bail.
Detectives have presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Eric Thai and Chasen Contreras at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
Originally Published 10/12/2025:
Homicide detectives are investigating the murder of a male adult victim that occurred on Oct. 12, 2025 in the 200 block of Falcon Avenue.
At approximately 1:28 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Falcon Avenue regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, they contacted a male adult victim with a gunshot wound to the upper body.
Long Beach Fire Department personnel transported the victim to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Homicide detectives responded to the scene. The motive for the shooting and the circumstances of the incident are currently under investigation.
The decedent’s identity is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin by the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Eric Thai and Chasen Contreras at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.