Samuel Villalba, 64, of Long Beach was shot to death on January 10, 2021 at a homeless encampment near the 91 Freeway on the 2300 block of East 68th Street. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving efforts by responding officers and the Long Beach Fire Department.

Witnesses reported seeing at least two male suspects fleeing on foot toward Cherry Avenue. The motive was initially unclear, and the killing was being investigated as gang-related. Villalba was a longtime member of the Mexican Mafia and had prior convictions, including a guilty plea in a 1994 racketeering case tied to the murder of Charles Manriquez; reports say he had been ostracized by the organization after assaulting a senior member.

Anyone who was at or near the encampment that day or who has information about the people seen fleeing toward Cherry Avenue is asked to come forward.