Man Killed in Gun Battle Linked to Girl’s Death

A man was killed and another was wounded in a Long Beach street gunfight between rival gang members apparently seeking retribution in the killing of a 12-year-old girl, police said Wednesday. About 30 shots were fired in the gun battle late Tuesday night.

Detectives believe the shooting was sparked by the slaying on Sunday of Anita Rochell Briones, who was killed with a shotgun.

The victims and the suspects were believed to be members of rival gangs who exchanged fire with shotguns, assault rifles and handguns. Residents of the 1500 block of Summit Sreet heard the gunfire erupt about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and called police, Lt. Steve McAndrew said. Officers found the two gunshot victims lying in the street, he said. Javier Vigil, 18, was pronounced dead on arrival at Memorial Medical Center of Long Beach. Jimmy Montoya, also 18, was treated at St. Mary Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the right arm and released.