2 Teens Arrested In Connection With 17-Year-Old's Death

LONG BEACH, CA — Two teenage boys were arrested last week in connection with the shooting death of 17-year-old Khalil Saleem and attempted murder of two adult men in January, Long Beach Police announced Friday.

Officers said that a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy were both taken into custody and booked on suspicion of murder on Friday. LBPD detectives said they believe the motive for the shooting was gang related.

“Yesterday, two minors were arrested for the senseless shooting that resulted in the death of Khalil Salem, who was 17 years old,” said Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. “Unfortunately, gun violence continues to impact our most vulnerable populations and we will continue working with our partners to identify ways in which we can disrupt violence in our community”

LBPD officers will present the case to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office for filing consideration. The investigation is ongoing according to Long Beach detectives.

The shooting happened on Jan. 21 at Silverado Park when Saleem and two other men were playing basketball. According to police accounts, an SUV fired shots at them while passing by.

Officers said they responded to the scene at 1:51 p.m. where they found Saleem in critical condition with a wound in his upper body. The responding officers attempted to perform life saving measures before Long Beach Fire Department paramedics transported them to a local hospital.

Saleem died at the hospital according to authorities. The other two men had non-fatal gunshot wounds and were later discharged from the hospital, LBPD said.

After further investigation, Homicide and Gang detectives found that another person was also at the basketball courts when the shots were fired and shot back at the SUV before it fled the scene prior to officers' arrival.

Anyone who may have insight about this incident is urged to call Homicide detectives Michael Hutchinson or Lisette Temblador at 562-570-7244. Anonymous reports can be made by calling 800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.