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Benny James Ceasar, 49

Benny James Ceasar, a 49-year-old black man, was fatally shot Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the 5400 block of Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 4:35 p.m., Long Beach police received a call about gunfire in the area. Police found Ceasar and a woman, both of whom had been shot, according to a news release. 

Ceasar was pronounced dead at the scene at 5 p.m., according to coroner’s records. The woman was taken to a hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the release. 

About 7:45 p.m., police arrested Sotero Monteon, 61 near Lime Avenue and South Street. Witnesses saw Monteon getting on a bus shortly after the shooting.

Monteon was charged with murder Sept. 16. He also faces three other felony counts, including attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of ammunition, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. 

Monteon has previous convictions for manslaughter in 1975 and 1982, robbery in 1990, transporting and selling a controlled substance in 1993, assault with a firearm in 1997, and possession of a controlled substance in 2007 and 2012, according to the criminal complaint.

Monteon is scheduled to return to court Sept. 29 for an arraignment. If convicted as charged, he faces at least 140 years to life in state prison. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @jeromercampbell and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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