2 Brothers Shot to Death by Sailor at Motel Room

Two Long Beach brothers were fatally shot by a U.S. Navy serviceman early Friday after the two attempted to force their way into a motel room where the serviceman was staying.

Kermit Mayer, 19, was pronounced dead about 2:20 a.m. at the Tower Motel, 421 W. Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach. His brother, Randy Mayer, 20, died an hour later during surgery at St. Mary Medical Center. “He was in extreme fear of his life,” Police Sgt. Charles Higley said of the serviceman, George Thomas Mitchell, 27. “They came in with their guns and I guess he had his gun.”

Mitchell, who was not injured in the incident, was questioned by police before being released to the custody of the Navy. Higley said no charges had been filed pending the outcome of an investigation by the district attorney’s office.