Rafael Araiza, 22, of Long Beach, California, was shot and killed while sitting in his car on Cedar Avenue and 15th Street near Washington Middle School on the night of June 24, 2021. Officers from the Long Beach Police Department found Araiza with a gunshot wound to his upper torso; despite life-saving efforts by LBPD and Long Beach Fire Department personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was found with his emergency lights still blinking.

Preliminary investigation notes suggested the shooting might be gang-related, although Araiza was not known to be a gang member; he did have friends involved in gang activities. Araiza was a nursing student and a young father, survived by a six-year-old son and a long-term girlfriend, Aminta Marinero, who said he had left home to pick up a childhood friend to attend a vigil together. The motive remained unclear and no immediate suspects were identified at the scene.

If anyone saw activity on Cedar Avenue and 15th Street that night or knew more about Araiza’s movements, please share information that could help the investigation.