Arrest Made in Long Beach Cold Case Murder

A reputed gang member is facing a murder charge stemming from a cold case investigation into a 1996 shooting in Long Beach, police announced today.

Police say they reopened the case after receiving new information alleging Wayne Taufi was the shooter.

Taufi, 40, was in custody on unrelated charges when he was booked Tuesday in the 1996 shooting case, police said.

Taufi was 21 years old when he allegedly shot 26-year-old Jorge Martinez on May 4, 1996, according to Long Beach police.

Around 10:30 that night, police were dispatched to the 500 block of East 14th Street and found Martinez dead on the sidewalk.

According to police, Martinez had been standing by himself when he was approached by several Samoan gang members.

Taufi, also known as Big Fassi, allegedly shot Martinez and then passed the weapon to another gang member and fled in a vehicle, according to police.

Police are still working to gather additional information on the four other gang members who were present at the murder. They were known only by their street monikers of “Wizard,” “Lil Boy,” “Fuzzy” and “Whisper.”

--City News Service