fatal shooting   chad hang  

Long Beach High School Student Shot Dead Thursday Night; Family Asking For Information 

Long Beach Post | April 1, 2016

Photos of Chad Sokhan Hang, courtesy of the Hang family. 

A 17-year-old Long Beach resident who was a senior in high school was fatally shot in Long Beach’s Eastside neighborhood Thursday night, making his the second death in the city within a 24-hour period. 

Officers responded to a shooting call on the 1300 block of East 11th Street at 11:48PM on Thursday, March 31, where they found Chad Sokhan Hang suffering from gunshot wounds in his upper torso, authorities said.

Paramedics transported Hang in critical condition to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries, according to a release from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).

Hang’s older sister Sophea Hang said he was walking home with their brother when the drive-by shooting occurred. They may have just been at the wrong place and wrong time, she said. 

The family is asking for witnesses to come forward with any information.

“We want peace and we want to know what happened and why it happened,” Sophea said.

Sophea described Chad—the sixth of seven children—as a jokester who loved his family and friends. He enjoyed playing video games, basketball, running, skating and hanging out with friends.

“He brought laughter until it hurts to everyone in the room,” she said.

Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) Public Information Director Chris Eftychiou said Hang was a post-12th grade student at Poly PAAL (Poly Academy of Achievers and Learners), a campus separate from the main Long Beach Poly High School campus but located nearby, meant for students who need help catching up on credits to graduate. 

"We will make counseling available for any students who need support when we return from spring break on Monday," Eftychiou told the Post. 

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses. Services have not been planned yet but the Hang family does intend on conducting blessings and prayers with monks as part of their Buddhist tradition.

“At this time, the Hang family asks for your prayers, love and thoughts," Sophea stated on her Facebook page. "All donations are much appreciated.”

Officials said no one is in custody and there is no suspect information available. The motive for the shooting unknown and the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Donald Goodman and Mark Mattia at 562.570.7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1.800.222.TIPS FREE (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.