Long Beach
Police Department

UPDATE 9/6/24

Homicide detectives have made arrests regarding the July 1, 2024, murder of Vernont Murray, a 39-year-old resident of Long Beach, near the 6000 block of Long Beach Boulevard. 

Detectives have identified Damion Joseph Jr., a 21-year-old resident of Palmdale and Eric Calvin, a 23-year-old resident of Lancaster as being responsible for the murder. 

On September 5, detectives from the LBPD Special Investigations Division with the assistance of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) served search warrants in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale. SEB operators located Damion Jospeh at a residence in Lancaster and subsequently took him into custody.  Joseph was transported to the Long Beach City Jail where he was booked for one count of murder and is currently being held on a $2,000,000 bail.

Detectives discovered Eric Calvin fled the area prior to the service of the search warrants. Homicide detectives coordinated efforts with law enforcement agencies from the states of Arizona and New Mexico, and Calvin was ultimately located and arrested in the state of New Mexico.

The Long Beach Police Department would like to extend its thanks and gratitude to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, New Mexico State Police, McKinley County Sheriff’s Office (New Mexico), and the US Department of the Interior for their assistance in apprehending Calvin, who is currently awaiting extradition to Los Angeles County.

During the search of the suspect’s residences, detectives recovered several items of evidence. Detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration next week.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Eric Thai or Kelsey Myers (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 

Original News Release 7/2/2024

Homicide detectives are investigating the murder of a male adult that occurred on July 1, 2024 in the 6000 block of Long Beach Boulevard.  

At approximately 9:51 p.m., officers responded to the 6000 block of Long Beach Boulevard regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers contacted a male adult victim with gunshot wounds to the upper body, on the ground near the intersection of Victoria Street and Long Beach Boulevard. 

Officers rendered medical aid and attempted life-saving measures until being relieved by Long Beach Fire Department personnel, who transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. 

The suspect(s) fled the scene prior to the officers' arrival. 

Homicide Detectives responded to the scene to investigate the incident. The motive for the shooting and circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.  

The victim has been identified as Vernont Murray, a 39-year-old resident of Long Beach. 

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Eric Thai or Kelsey Myers (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