Murder Suspect Arrested

On Dec. 18, the Long Beach Police Department arrested 53-year-old Robert Rubio Jr. of Hawaiian ardens in connection with the Dec. 17 murder of 54-year-old Monica Barboza, officials said.

Rubio was arrested without incident at the home of a friend in Hawaiian Gardens.  Rubio, a documented gang-member, is being booked for murder and attempted murder, and will be held at the Long Beach City Jail on $1,000,000 bail.  He will be arraigned on the afternoon of Dec. 20 at Long Beach Superior Court.

The incident took place at about 10 p.m. Dec. 17 within the 3500 block of Monica Avenue in Long Beach. Police responded to a call reporting a shots in the neighborhood. The LBPD found Barboza inside of a converted garage, where she had apparently been living. She had a gunshot would to the upper torso. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Shortly thereafter, LBPD was notified that a male adult gunshot victim had been transported to a local hospital by a friend.  Through our investigation, we were able to determine that the 52-year-old resident of HawaiianGardens, who was visiting the location at the time the shooting occurred, was a second victim.  He sustained what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries and is listed in stable condition.

Detectives believe Rubio was involved in an ongoing dispute with other residents who reside in the home, which ultimately led to the shooting. The victims are not married, but are related through marriage.

Anyone with information should call (562) 570-7244 or anonymously at (800) 222-8477.