LONG BEACH : Man Fatally Shot by Bicycle-Riding Gunman

A Long Beach man was fatally shot by a gunman who fled the shooting scene on a bicycle, police said Friday.

John Ballard, 19, died at St. Mary Medical Center after being shot Thursday night on Locust Avenue south of Pacific Coast Highway, police said.

Ballard, believed by police to be a gang member, and a friend were walking along Locust about 9 p.m. when the cyclist, described as approximately 20 years old, rode up and asked where the two men were from, said police.

The man said he was from another gang, pedaled away, then returned and shot Ballard in the chest, police said. The victim’s companion was unhurt.