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Long Beach Police Need Public's Help Identifying Suspect In Murders Of Mother, Daughter

LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — The person of interest in the murders of a mother and her daughter in Long Beach is now the prime suspect in the case, according to police.

Detective said after going over hours of surveillance video, they were able to connect him to the killings of 26 year-old Carina Mancera and four-year-old daughter, Jennabel.

On August 6th around 10 p.m., neighbor Dan Starkey said he pulled over after seeing the victims lying on the streets.

"I tried to help probably within a few minutes after it happened. The mother, (I) couldn't get a pulse, and I put a blanket on the little girl because she was going into shock," Starkey said. "It was really upsetting."

Police said Mancera and Jennabel were on their way home near 9th Street and Locust Avenue when the suspect walked up and shot them at close range.

Luis Anaya, Mancera's boyfriend and the child's father, was still at the car nearby. The suspect shot at him too, but missed.

Anaya told investigators he didn't recognize the suspect.

"He was just beside himself, which I would be too," Starkey added.

The suspect was caught on camera twice, minutes after the killings - first inside a convenience store, then on a Blue Line train as he rode to Los Angeles and got off at the San Pedro station.

Investigators said he talked to people on the train about leaving the state.

Police do not have a motive yet and are not sure if the mother and daughter were targeted or random victims.

They need the public's help identifying their suspect.

"That's why there's so much violence because people are not willing to speak up. People aren't willing to unite and make a change. Innocent lives don't deserve for them to die that way," said neighbor Karla Plancarte.

If you recognize the suspect, call Long Beach police.

A $40,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to the suspect.

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