Sor Phouma, 52 [Updated]

Died Jan. 22, 2011

Sor Phouma, a 52-year-old Asian man, was killed during a robbery Saturday, Jan. 22, in the 1900 block of East 4th Street in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

[For the record: An earlier version of this post, based on initial information from the coroner's office, listed Phouma's age as 45. The Long Beach Police department gave the victim's last name as Phouam.]

Phouma, of Long Beach, was shot about 8 p.m. at P&B Liquor Jr. Market, according to Long Beach police Sgt. Rico Fernandez. After the shooting, the liquor store clerk was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The robbery suspects were described by witnesses as Latinos dressed in black clothing, Fernandez said. He did not know whether the robbers had taken any money from the store or whether a vehicle was used in the robbery. Police said they are reviewing surveillance video footage and that the investigation is ongoing.

Phouma's death comes two weeks after Long Beach police Chief Jim McDonnell announced that the city's crime rate was at its lowest since 1971. About 36 murders were reported last year, a drop from 2009, when 44 murders were reported, according to the Times' Homicide Report.

Meanwhile, residents who knew Phouma or heard about the shooting dropped off candles and flowers outside the store Sunday morning. A pink ribbon was tied around the lock of the double folding security gate.

Anyone with information about the fatal robbery can call Long Beach police at (562) 570-7260 or a tip line at (800) 222-8477.

[Updated Jan. 27: Video: Long Beach police seek leads in liquor store killing]

[Updated Oct. 19: Arrest made in Long Beach convenience store killing]

— Ruben Vives