Dancer practicing at California beach killed in clash, cops say. ‘Didn’t get out in time’

A dispute at a California beach ended in the shooting death of a 27-year-old man who had gone there with friends to practice a dance routine, Long Beach police said.

Justin Morris died after being shot at Rosie’s Dog Beach on Tuesday, April 19, friends told KNBC. They were there to shoot video of his fire-spinning routine for the Burning Man festival.

A dispute broke out in the parking lot with a group of strangers, which escalated into a physical fight, Long Beach police said in a news release. One of the men shot Morris.

The other men had all fled by the time police arrived at 10:30 p.m., the release said.

Friend Molly Ferrall told KNBC her group was preparing to leave when an argument broke out with occupants of a vehicle speeding through the parking lot before Morris was shot.

“He really was a hero,” Ferrall told the station. “He was doing his best to get all of his friends safe and get out there. He didn’t get out of there in time.”

Morris was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Police ask that anyone with information call detectives Sean Magee or Juan Carlos Reyes at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be left at 800-222-8477.

This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Dancer practicing at California beach killed in clash, cops say. ‘Didn’t get out in time’."