Four men have been arrested in connection with the murder of homeless man, gunned down in an encampment in Long Beach more than four years ago, officials announced.
The violence unfolded in Jan. 2021 in the 2300 block East 68th Street, according to a news release from the Long Police Department.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting victim in a homeless encampment adjacent to the 91 Freeway and located 64-year-old Samuel Villalba suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.
Medical personnel with the Long Beach Fire Department responded to the scene and declared the 64-year-old dead.
Witnesses at the time described two or more men fleeing the area toward Cherry Avenue.
Detectives continued to work the case, though no one was arrested until late Oct. 2024 when of the suspected gunmen, identified as Andrew Reyna, a resident of Lakewood, who was found and arrested at a hotel in Lynwood.
A second arrest came in April 2025 when detectives 45-year-old Lakewood resident Jesse Galvan, who was suspected of being involved in the deadly confrontation.
Two more men were taken into custody in connection with the murder on June 5.
Investigators said 25-year-old L.A. resident Jairo Enrique Rodriguez was arrested in the 8900 block of South Central Avenue and 50-year-old David Toby Oropeza, also from L.A., was arrested in the 100 block of West Bruno Street.
Both men were booked and later charged with conspiracy to commit murder and one count of murder, officials said.
Authorities did not say whether more arrests are expected.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is urged to contact LBPD Det. Oscar Valenzuela or Det. Leticia Gamboa at 562-570-7244. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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