Charles Matthew Giddings, 26

March 14, 2011, 9:25 a.m.

Charles Giddings, a 26-year-old black man, was shot and killed Monday, March 7, in the 700 block of east Pacific Coast Highway, according to authorities.

Long Beach police found Giddings in an alley about 10:23 p.m. after they were called to the scene after a report that shots had been fired, according to a police news release.

"When officers located the victim, they found he was suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper torso and performed CPR until paramedics from the Long Beach Fire Department arrived," the release said. "The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later."

Police said investigators had learned that Giddings, who was not immediately identified, had been walking when he was "confronted by at least one male suspect who fired at him."

Authorities said the motive for the shooting was unknown.

Anyone with information about Giddings' killing is asked to contact Long Beach Police Department homicide Dets. Dave Rios or Roger Zottneck at (562) 570-7244. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may also report tips via text or e-mail at www.longbeach.gov/police.

-- Megan Garvey

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24 reader comments

Don't lose heart...This case has not been put on the back burner. In fact, leads have been attained and relentlessly followed. However, knowing who may have done this, compared to proving it beyond a reasonable doubt; which is our justice system's legal requirement, is often two different things. Unfortunately, I'm unable to provide details because of the sensitive nature of the information and if released, could impede the future prosecution of the subject(s) involved in this senseless act of violence. Again, please don't loose heart this can and will be solved, you have my word on that. Furthermore, I can personally assure you that the race of the victims and or suspects has no bearing on what resources are used nor the manner in which each individual case is prosecuted. To that you have my solemn oath...God bless your family in their time of need and while I know finding the suspect(s) will not provide closure, it will reinforce the concept of true justice to a segment of society that feels it may have been denied them based on racial or socioeconomic considerations.

— concerned May 24, 2011 at 12:02 p.m.

Jag, According to Wikipedia Whites make up 48.7% of the population of Los Angeles County, Blacks comprise 11% of the county, and Hispanics or Latinos comprise 44.6% of the county. Various other peoples make up the rest. Please note that Hispanics or Latinos can fall into several different ethnic groups.

I follow your postings on this site on a regular basis. I have a very hard time understanding why you try to portray the murder rate amongst Blacks and Latinos as something normal, when clearly they aren't!

It appears to me that you don't care how many brown or black people are killed. You come across as someone who is trying to defend this culture of murder and death. You are very judgemental when it comes to the police killing someone, yet seem quite content to ignore the deaths of people of color, trying to pass their deaths off as something normal.

— Mark April 26, 2011 at 1 p.m.

My cousin did not deserve to die the way he did. We have no answers on what went down this night. The detectives have no answers and has encouraged (told) us not to go the location of the crime. They said it is not safe, but maybe it is because they really don't want us to find out what happen. I seen a post today that the long beach police is asking for the publics help on resolving a murder that just happened. Why didn't they do this for my cousin? Is it because they assumed he was just another gangster down. My cousin was no gangster. He has had a hard life since the death of his mother when he was 14. One thing is he would never hurt anyone. If any one knows what happened to my cousin please contact the detectives. We will never have closure until this person is caught. Rest in peace Matthew we love you!

— Matt March 29, 2011 at 12:13 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Charles Matthew Giddings, 26

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24 reader comments