Local News in Brief : Van Driver Held in Death of Pedestrian
A pedestrian was shot and killed early Monday following an argument with the driver of a van, who was arrested two hours later by Long Beach police officers who recognized his vehicle, police said.
Loy Harris, 26, of Long Beach, was shot in the head about 12:50 a.m. by the driver of a Volkswagen van, Lt. Norm Ericksen said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect, Robert Benson, 49, of Long Beach, fled but was arrested about 2:45 a.m. near Pacific Coast Highway and the Long Beach Freeway, Ericksen said. He was booked on suspicion of murder and held without bail.
Witnesses told police the gunman stopped the van in the street and got into an argument with Harris after he approached the vehicle. Benson drove away but returned a few minutes later, stopped in the street and fired one shot at Harris, killing him.
Police broadcast a description of Benson’s van following the shooting, and he was arrested by officers who recognized the vehicle, Ericksen said.
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