Investigation Continues In Fatal Long Beach Shooting Of Intruder
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — The investigation continued Monday surrounding the deadly shooting of an alleged burglary suspect at a Long Beach home.
According to authorities, Ryan Anderson broke into a home in the 2800 block of East Third Street around 2:45 a.m. Sunday when he was shot and killed by the owner.
"I heard three shots, which I thought were firecrackers, but they were shots," neighbor Dina Milonas said. "Then I heard the homeowner next door to me scream, 'Help me, help me.'"
Nearby residents said the homeowner lived at the residence with his wife, both of whom are in their 60s.
Friends of Anderson say the 29-year-old lived just four blocks away and may have wrongly stumbled into the residence after celebrating a friend's birthday.
Anderson's mother, who spoke to CBS2/KCAL9 by phone, added that she had spoken with her son 10 minutes before the incident and said he was drunk, disoriented and having trouble finding his way home.
"I just don't believe that he was a burglar 'cause he's just not that kind of guy," friend Amanda Farhall said. "He was loved by everybody."
Officials have ordered a toxicology report to determine if Anderson was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the shooting.
Long Beach police held a community meeting Sunday night to talk about the incident and a recent rash of residential burglaries.
Police do not believe Anderson is connected to other area crimes.
Anderson's death comes 19 days after an 80-year-old Bixby Knolls man fatally shot a woman who had allegedly broken into his home.
Anderson's friends held a vigil for him on Monday night, and were questioning the circumstances of his death. Neighbors looked on as Anderson's mourners stopped in front of the shooter's house, where he was killed, and stopped for a moment of silence.
Residents in the neighborhood suggest the break-in was a robbery, and Long Beach Police officers were present as the mourners appeared at the house.
