Suspect arrested in Southern California teen's murder

Police have arrested a suspect in connection to the murder of a 17-year-old girl in Long Beach.

Troy Lamar Fox, 34, is accused of shooting and killing Brianna Soto as she was walking home from work on March 26.

That night, Soto was walking near the intersection of 11th Avenue and Lewis Street around 8:30 p.m.

Police said Soto was on the phone with her mother and just steps from her home when the suspect shot her. Her family heard gunfire outside. She was rushed to the hospital but died three days later.

“Her brothers were the ones who found her with her mother, so I can't imagine what it must have been like for them to see her lying on the ground like that,” said nearby resident Michelle Fierro.

The suspect fled the scene immediately after the murder and security cameras captured him removing his clothing. The motive for the fatal shooting remains unclear.

Detectives investigated several leads, including DNA, video and cell phone evidence, before identifying Fox, who was in custody at the time on an unrelated weapons offense, as a suspect.

He is also believed to have been involved in two other incidents on April 9 and July 7.

On April 9, Fox is accused of firing shots into a vehicle containing three minors and one adult.

On July 7, officers responded to the area of ​​14th Street and Pine Avenue on a report of a firearm found in a vehicle. Officers found Fox and the juvenile suspect and learned that both were prohibited from possessing firearms. Two firearms were found in the suspect's possession and four firearms were found in the vehicle. Fox also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest at the time.

On September 11, detectives presented evidence before a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to obtain an arrest warrant for Fox in connection with Soto's murder and the April 9 attempted murder.

On September 13, officers from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department arrested Fox and booked him into the Long Beach City Jail, where he is being held on $2 million bail.

“Brianna Soto was just 17 years old when she was tragically taken from her family by a violent individual intent on committing such a reprehensible and brazen act of violence,” said Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish. “Brianna's death has been a huge blow to her family and has had an enormous impact on our police department. This suspect has demonstrated a willingness to harm others, and we will continue to work closely with our partners across the criminal justice system to ensure that Brianna and her family receive the justice they deserve.”

“Detectives plan to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for review in the next few days,” police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Homicide Detectives Ethan Shear or Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244.

Anonymous tips can be made by contacting LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.