Police release video of suspect wanted for killing 17-year-old girl as she walked home

Seventeen-year-old Briana Soto was just steps away from her Long Beach home when she was gunned down last month for no apparent reason, Police Chief Wally Hebeish said today as he pleaded for help finding her killer.

During a news conference at the LBPD’s Downtown headquarters, Hebeish showed new videos of a man walking along Lewis Avenue near 11th Street in Cambodia Town about 10 minutes before Soto’s murder at around 8:30 p.m. on March 26.

Detectives believe the man shot Soto and then fled southbound, removing clothes as he went.

The attack was so close to Soto’s home that her mother heard the gunshots, Hebeish said.

When Soto’s mother called her daughter’s phone, a good Samaritan picked up but was unable to tell her what happened because of a language barrier, Hebeish said.

After more than a month of investigation, police are now redoubling their request for help from the public.

“Someone undoubtedly knows this suspect or recognizes the individual in the video,” Hebeish said.

He described the suspect as a male of unknown age, wearing dark clothing with a mask over his face.

“That’s the best description I have at this point, which is why it’s so critical that the community — and that the public— share any information they may have in identifying who this person is,” the chief said.

Hebeish said detectives are still trying to find out if the suspect interacted with Soto in any way before shooting her. He said, so far, it doesn’t appear as if he took anything from her.

He said police are still in the dark about any possible motive or connection between the suspected killer and Soto.

“There’s nothing indicating that Briana was anything more than an innocent victim walking home from work,” he said.

Soto’s family watched from the front row of the news conference as Hebeish described what they must be feeling.

“This is devastating for this family as it would be for any of us,” he said.

Soto was a Long Beach Poly High School student . In an online fundraiser , Soto’s family described her as ​​“the best sister, friend, daughter and granddaughter.”

Before ending his plea to the public, Hebeish addressed Soto’s family directly, saying the department, “will never stop working to find the person who took Briana away from you.”

Anyone with information about the crime can contact detectives at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be sent through lacrimestoppers.org .

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