Man Sought in Slaying of Son, Shooting of Wife in Long Beach

Police are searching for a gunman who shot and killed his 4-year-old son and injured his wife Thursday after opening fire on them at a busy intersection in east Long Beach, authorities said.

Long Beach police said that Brian Manuel, 39, began firing at his wife and son about 4:15 p.m. as the mother placed the boy in her car near Spring Street and Woodruff Avenue.

The father had just picked up the boy from day care and called the mother to say that he was having car problems and she needed to pick them up, police said.

“The mom comes to the location in her car and he hands the child over to her,” said Long Beach Police Officer Israel Ramirez.

“The mom is putting the child in her car and the father starts shooting at her,” Ramirez said.

Witnesses told police that they watched as the woman ran into traffic and waved down a passing motorist.

Manuel allegedly began firing at a vehicle that stopped, causing the mother to run to another vehicle, authorities said.

“At that point the suspect returns to the mom’s vehicle and shoots and kills the child,” Ramirez said.

The suspect ran to his car, a dark silver Honda Civic with California license plate 5DJH786, and drove off, police said.

Shortly after the shooting, police were given information that led them to believe Manuel was hiding in a home in the 3500 block of Petaluma Avenue. Police failed to find the suspect after a search of the house and the surrounding neighborhood.

“We’re still looking for the suspect,” Ramirez said. “He should be considered armed and dangerous.”

The mother, who was taken to a nearby hospital, suffered nonfatal injuries, police said.