Signal Hills Strip Killer Remains At Large

SIGNAL HILL, CA — Authorities Wednesday identified a Long Beach man who was fatally shot in the parking lot of a Signal Hill strip club by a killer who remains at large.

The shooting, which also left two women wounded, occurred about 1:50 a.m. Tuesday outside the Fantasy Castle in the 2800 block of Walnut Avenue.

Fernando Mendez Jr., 28, died at the scene, said coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter. The women were hospitalized in stable condition.

"Detectives have learned that the male victim was standing in the parking lot of the gentlemen's club when he was approached by a male figure and shot several times," according to a sheriff's statement.

A nightclub employee said the victims were celebrating a friend's birthday.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock