4 Years Later, Police Renew Hunt For Father's Day Killer

LONG BEACH, CA — More than four years after a father was shot and killed in Long Beach while his 7-year-old son sat inside his vehicle, police are renewing their appeal for information in the unsolved Father's Day killing.

The Long Beach Police Department on Wednesday again asked the public for help solving the June 19, 2022, killing of Leevi Matuni Maseuli, 30, of Palmdale.

Homicide detectives “actively review and reopen cold cases as resources permit,” police said, pursuing new information, leads and other investigative opportunities that could advance cases.

Detectives are pursuing all leads in Maseuli's killing, according to the department, but police did not say in Wednesday's appeal whether a particular development prompted the renewed push for information.

Officers were dispatched to Anaheim Street and Roswell Avenue at about 8:46 p.m. on Father's Day in 2022 after receiving reports of a shooting, according to police.

They found Maseuli inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers provided medical aid until Long Beach Fire Department personnel arrived and took him to a hospital, where he later died.

Maseuli's 7-year-old son was a passenger in the vehicle when his father was shot. The boy was not struck by gunfire but suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said. He was released shortly afterward and reunited with his mother.

No Suspect, No Known Motive

Detectives determined during their preliminary investigation that Maseuli had been sitting in his vehicle when he was shot. Police said at the time that there was no suspect description or known motive for the shooting.

“To commit such a heinous crime in any circumstance is unacceptable, but to do so on Father's Day in front of the victim's child is even more disgraceful,” Police Chief Wally Hebeish said following the killing.

“No child should ever have to endure an experience like this and I am asking the public to please speak up with any information, no matter how small, that could help us find those responsible for this callous act of violence,” Hebeish said.

More than four years later, police are making that appeal again.

An LBPD spokesperson told Patch Thursday that there is a possibility of reward money through Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers for tips that lead to an arrest. The department did not provide additional information about what prompted the renewed appeal or whether detectives have developed new information about a suspect, vehicle or possible motive, instead referring Patch to its news release.

Anyone with information about Maseuli's killing was urged to contact Long Beach homicide Detectives Michael Hubbard and Jesus Espinoza at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be submitted to LA Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3 Tips app or online.