On August 18, 2024, at about 6:58 a.m. Long Beach police responded to the 600 block of East South Street and found 43-year-old Ali Jabbaar Phannix unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Phannix, who was experiencing homelessness, was pronounced dead at the scene by Long Beach Fire Department personnel.

After a two-month investigation, detectives identified 32-year-old Hector Perez of Lynwood as the suspect. On October 28, 2024, authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Perez, who was already in custody on unrelated charges with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; he was rebooked on suspicion of murder with bail set at $2.05 million. Investigators say Phannix and Perez were acquaintances, and the motive remains under investigation. The Long Beach Police Department thanked community members for leads and asked anyone with additional information to come forward.

Does anyone have information about Phannix’s movements in Long Beach that morning or knowledge of his acquaintance with Perez?