Archie Harris, 49, of Bellflower was found dead on the sidewalk in the 5800 block of Orange Avenue in Long Beach on the night of June 28, 2020, with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Long Beach Fire Department responders pronounced him dead at the scene. The killing came at the start of a spike in gun violence in North Long Beach that included further fatalities and a woman shot at a vigil held in Harris’ honor.

Investigators determined Harris had been walking side-by-side with 48-year-old Gilbert Crawley of Spokane when Crawley shot him in the back of the head. Video showed Crawley slow down to let Harris walk ahead before opening fire. Crawley fled on foot but was arrested the next afternoon during a traffic stop near Atlantic Avenue and the 91 Freeway and was charged with second-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. At trial Crawley said alcohol and prior drug consumption played a role and alleged Harris gave him PCP, a claim Harris’ family denied; the jury convicted Crawley of second-degree murder and he was later sentenced.

Harris’ family said he had been sharing plans to improve his life and his children’s lives shortly before he was killed and urged that Crawley be held to account. If anyone knew Archie or saw him in North Long Beach around June 28, 2020, please share what you remember.