Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old Long Beach girl.
Troy Lamar Fox, 34, is accused of shooting and killing Briana Soto as she was walking home from work on March 26.
On that night, Soto was walking near the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue at around 8:30 p.m.
Police said she was speaking with her mother on the phone and was just steps away from her house when the suspect shot her. The teen’s family heard the gunshots outside. Soto was rushed to the hospital where she died three days later.
“It was her siblings who found her with their mother, so I couldn’t even imagine what they had to go through seeing her on the ground like that,” said Michelle Fierro, a neighbor.
Moments after the murder, the suspect ran away and security cameras captured him removing pieces of his clothing. The motive behind the deadly shooting remains unclear.
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Briana Soto, 17, seen in a family photo. -
The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder. -
The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder. -
The street where Briana Soto was fatally shot on March 26, 2024, (KTLA) -
The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder. -
The Long Beach Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter in a March 26, 2024, murder. -
Briana Soto, 17, seen in a family photo. -
Troy Lamar Fox, 34, is seen in a photo from the Long Beach Police Department.
After investigating several leads, including DNA, video and cell phone evidence, detectives identified Fox as the suspect. He was in custody for an unrelated weapons violation at the time.
He is also believed to be involved in two other incidents on April 9 and July 7.
On April 9, Fox was accused of shooting at a vehicle containing three juveniles and an adult.
On July 7, officers responded to the area of 14th Street and Pine Avenue on a report of firearms seen inside a car. Officers located Fox and a juvenile suspect and learned they were both prohibited from possessing firearms. Two firearms were found on the suspects and four firearms were found inside their vehicle. Fox also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest at the time.
On Sept. 11, detectives presented evidence to a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge to obtain an arrest warrant for Fox in connection with Soto’s murder and the attempted murder on April 9.
On Sept. 13, officers took custody of Fox from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and booked him into the Long Beach City Jail where he is being held on $2 million bail.
“Briana Soto was just 17 years old when she was tragically taken away from her family by a violent individual willing to commit such a reprehensible and brazen act of violence,” said Wally Hebeish, Long Beach Chief of Police. “Briana’s death has left her family devastated and has impacted our department immensely. This suspect has demonstrated a willingness to inflict harm on others and we will be working closely with our partners throughout the criminal justice system to ensure Briana and her family receive the justice they deserve.”
“Detectives will present their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration in the coming days,” police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives Ethan Shear or Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.