Police announce arrest in Long Beach shooting

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The Long Beach Police Department announced an arrest Thursday in the murder that took place at Sycamore Court on April 7.

Police said Ronnie Sutton, 49, of Long Beach, was arrested for the shooting of Shawn Usher, 33. Sutton was arraigned in court Thursday and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. 

The announcement came at a news conference next to a memorial for Usher that was placed by his neighbors.

Police Commissioner and Acting City Manager Ron Walsh said Sutton had been arrested and taken to a local area hospital where he was evaluated for medical and psychological reasons. He was released back into police custody today.

"While the arrest cannot bring back this victim," Walsh said, "our hope is that with this arrest, we're able to bring some sense of closure to the family and some sense of healing to this community."

Walsh was joined by Sylvia Gray, Usher's mother, Marcia Gray, his aunt, and other community members and police.

"Right where we are standing is where he laid and where I prayed for his life," his aunt said.  "We must stop the gun violence. None of this is going to bring him back, but we need peace. My sister needs peace. We don't want to see another mother cry and we don't want to see another child grow up without their mother or father."

Usher was described by friends as the father of twin 9-year-old boys. The announcement of the arrest came two days after a community rally calling for an end to gun violence.