Shooting near Long Beach Marathon Burger grand opening leaves one dead

Police investigating incident that occurred near the new restaurant's launch event

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A shooting with multiple victims, at least one of whom died, occurred on Sunday afternoon near the grand opening of a new Marathon Burger location in Long Beach, California. The incident happened on Pine Avenue near the Pine Square shopping center, but a spokesperson for the burger joint said the event was not connected to the shooting.

Why it matters

Gun violence near high-profile community events raises concerns about public safety, even when the incidents are not directly related to the events themselves. The shooting also occurred in a busy commercial district, underscoring the need for effective security measures and emergency response protocols.

The details

Police were called to the 200 block of Pine Avenue around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday after reports of a shooting. Officers found multiple victims, with at least one fatality. The incident was not connected to the grand opening of the new Marathon Burger location, which was hosting a large crowd and featured appearances by Snoop Dogg and the Long Beach mayor. The burger joint's spokesperson said the opening event proceeded safely and without issue, despite the nearby police activity.

  • The shooting occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2026.
  • The Marathon Burger grand opening was taking place at the same time as the shooting incident.

The players

Marathon Burger

A burger restaurant chain founded by the brother of late rapper Nipsey Hussle, which was holding a grand opening event for a new location in Long Beach.

Snoop Dogg

A famous rapper who was in attendance at the Marathon Burger grand opening event.

Rex Richardson

The mayor of Long Beach who was also present at the Marathon Burger grand opening.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate the shooting incident and have not yet released details on the number of victims or any potential suspects.

The takeaway

While the Marathon Burger grand opening was a positive community event, the nearby shooting underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining public safety, even at high-profile gatherings. This incident highlights the need for robust security measures and emergency response protocols to protect attendees at such events.