Long Beach man arraigned on second-degree murder charges, police say

A Long Beach parolee wanted for absconding was arraigned Monday on charges of second-degree attempted murder and other felonies in connection with birdshot being fired into a man's chest last weekend, Long Beach City police said.

LaChance Bryant, 30, was found in Hempstead Village Sunday night and also charged with first-degree criminal use of a firearm, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and violating parole, police said. He was held without bail.

His victim, 22, was shot about 10 p.m. Friday behind a plumbing store on Long Beach Boulevard near East Chester Street, police said. Birdshot contains several pellets.

"It was birdshot, but it still did some serious damage," police Lt. Eric Cregeen said.

"After he's shot, he runs out onto Long Beach Boulevard, and a fire department truck just happens to be driving by," Cregeen said. "So the firefighters render aid. He kind of got lucky in that regard."

The injured man, whose name was not released, was taken to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, police said. His condition Monday was not immediately available.

The two men knew each other, police said.

Bryant is also known to Long Beach police for prior arrests. He was sentenced in 2005 to 5 years on first-degree attempted assault and his parole ends in November, according to state prison records.