Man charged with murder of student in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, California. – A man has been charged in the shooting death of a high school student in Long Beach.

Troy Lamar Fox, 34, was charged with the murder of 17-year-old Briana Soto, who was shot and killed in March. He also faces four counts of attempted murder in connection with another shooting a month later. He also faces charges of serious crimes, including attempted robbery and criminal threats.

If convicted on all counts, he faces a life sentence in prison.

On March 26, around 8:30 p.m., Briana Soto was on her way home from work at McDonald's when she was shot near 11th Street and Lewis Avenue. She died three days later in the hospital.

About a week later, on April 9, Fox was allegedly involved in a shooting. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, he got out of a car in an alley near Pine Avenue toward 14th Street with a rifle in his hand and fired several shots at another vehicle containing four minors.

The motive for the shooting is unknown. It is also unclear whether Soto was the target.

Fox is being held on $6 million bail.

“Briana Soto, a promising high school student, was just steps from her home when she was gunned down for no reason,” said District Attorney Gascón. “She was looking forward to celebrating her 18th birthday and prom, and instead her family and our community are left to mourn an unimaginable loss. No parent should ever have to endure such a heartbreaking tragedy.”