A man and a woman have been arrested in the fatal shooting of a Long Beach reggae and hip-hop artist.
Tasi Malaki, 45, was shot about 11:40 p.m. Saturday near West Willow Street and Eucalyptus Avenue and died at the scene, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Malaki performed under the stage name "Toko Tasi" and had worked with the bands Sublime and Slightly Stoopid.
On Thursday afternoon, homicide detectives went to a residence in the San Bernardino County community of Hesperia and arrested Long Beach residents Thomas Arellaga, 43, and Lorna Clemena, also 43, the LBPD reported. Details about what led to the arrest were not immediately available.
Arellaga was booked on suspicion of murder, and was held on $2 million bail in the Long Beach City Jail, police said. Clemena was booked on suspicion of "accessory after the fact" and was held on $1 million bail, police said.
"Detectives believe (Arellaga) is responsible for the shooting death of the victim ...," police said. "Detectives believe Clemena was aware of the shooting, and attempted to protect Thomas Arellaga from arrest, trial, or conviction by concealing evidence related to the shooting."
Police said they would present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office next week for filing consideration.
According to police, Malaki suffered gunshot wounds to his upper body. Detectives believe the victim and male suspect were involved in a dispute that led to the shooting.
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A post on his official Facebook page said Malaki was "taken away from this Earth by senseless violence," and promised benefit shows would take place in Long Beach in the near future. His most recent album, "Rise ta Shine," was released in 2017.
Anyone with information on the crime was urged to call 562-570-7244 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
