Brandon Villareal, a 21-year-old Latino man from Long Beach, was shot and killed near the Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 12, 2025. The shooting happened about 5:50 p.m. on Cedar Walk, a crowded area during the Acura Grand Prix IndyCar Series event. Villareal suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was taken to a hospital, and pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m.

Officials say Villareal and a suspect were involved in a verbal dispute before the shooting; motive remains under investigation. A memorial of candles, flowers and signs, including one reading In loving memory of Brandon, your smile will be missed!, was later placed on Cedar Walk.

Homicide detectives identified a 15-year-old male suspect from Long Beach who fled to Las Vegas and returned to California. On May 4, 2025, law enforcement with assistance from the FBI Criminal Apprehension Team arrested the teenager during a traffic stop in Barstow; he was booked on suspicion of murder and held without bail at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. The Long Beach Police Department has referred the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 562-570-7244.

Did anyone at the Grand Prix see the dispute on Cedar Walk or have information about what led to the shooting?