Long Beach grandfather killed in possible racial hate crime shooting Saturday at Pan American Park

On Saturday, July 21, 2018, at 4:26 p.m., officers were dispatched to a shooting that had just occurred at a park in the 5100 block of E. Centralia Street.

When officers arrived, they located a male adult victim who had been shot by a male adult suspect. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics responded and determined the victim was deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicates the victim was in the park restroom when a male adult suspect shot the victim in the upper torso. After the shooting, the suspect fled the park on foot. The motive for the shooting is unknown and the investigation is ongoing.

The identity of the victim is Long Beach resident Frederic Taft who was enjoying the day at a family reunion. A relative reported seeing a white male running from the bathroom carrying a rifle with kaki shorts and a fishing hat.

Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding this incident is urged to call Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives M. Hubbard and A. Garcia at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App Store and Google Play), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.