Durell Shell, a 38-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on February 18, 2025, in the 1400 block of Locust Avenue in Long Beach, California. Officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 9:04 p.m.; investigators found evidence of a shooting at the scene but did not immediately locate the victim. A short time later police were told a male adult with gunshot wounds had been taken to a local hospital by a private party. Shell died at the hospital from multiple gunshot wounds and the death has been ruled a homicide.

Investigators say the shooting may have been gang-related, though motive and full circumstances remain under investigation. Detectives do not believe Shell and the arrested suspect were previously acquainted. Homicide detectives arrested 28-year-old Edgar Melgar Salazar of Long Beach on March 6, 2025; he was taken into custody at a Long Beach residence with assistance from the Special Weapons and Tactics Team and booked on murder charges with bail set at $3,000,000.

Anyone with information about the shooting or Shell’s movements that evening is asked to contact investigators.