LOS ANGELES, CA – A Long Beach man has been arrested and charged with murder after authorities say he fatally shot his 64-year-old roommate at their shared residence.
Officers from the Long Beach Police Department responded to a report of a possible suicide in the 3000 block of Gold Star Drive at approximately 8:48 a.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Paramedics from the Long Beach Fire Department pronounced the man dead at the scene.
The victim has been identified as Tyrone Crawford, 64, according to authorities.
In a statement, the Long Beach Police Department said homicide detectives were called to the scene after initial evidence suggested the incident was not a suicide. Investigators later determined that Crawford’s roommate, identified as 30-year-old Trayen Gaston, was a suspect in the killing. Gaston was present at the scene and was taken into custody during the investigation.
According to police, Gaston and Crawford had been sharing the residence where the shooting occurred. Detectives gathered evidence linking Gaston to the crime and subsequently arrested him.
Gaston has been charged with one count of murder, one count of being a prohibited possessor of a firearm, and one count of prohibited possession of ammunition. His bail has been set at $2 million.
Authorities said the motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and no further details have been released about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Eric Thai and Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244. Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips by contacting Los Angeles Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
