LBPD Fatally Shoot Knife-Wielding Man At Looffs Lite-A-Line

On Monday, December 14, 2015, at approximately 10:08 p.m., Long Beach police were dispatched to a business in the 2500 block of Long Beach Boulevard regarding a suspect inside armed with a knife, which resulted in an officer involved shooting.

The preliminary investigation has determined the following:

• While officers were responding to the location, they received an update the suspect was now waiving the knife around inside the business, and some customers left in fear of their safety.
• The first officers arrived on scene minutes after they were dispatched and encountered the suspect who was seated in a chair and still armed with a knife
• They gave the suspect verbal commands to drop the knife and the suspect failed to comply with any of the officers orders
• Officers then deployed less lethal options, which included an electronic control device and baton
• The less lethal options were ineffective, and an officer involved shooting occurred
• Officers immediately started life saving measures on the suspect
• Long Beach Fire Department responded, rendered aid, and subsequently pronounced the suspect deceased at the scene
• No officers or citizens in the business were injured
• The knife was recovered at the scene
• Limited portions of the incident were captured on video, which will be reviewed by Homicide detectives, in addition to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office will determine the suspect’s identity and notify next of kin.

The Police Department thoroughly reviews all use of force incidents through a rigorous multi-step process that evaluates legal, policy, tactical, and equipment issues. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent investigation of the shooting, as they do with all officer involved shootings that occur in Los Angeles County that result in injury of death. The L.A. County Coroner’s Office also conducts an independent investigation of officer involved shootings that result in death.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or has information is encouraged to call the Long Beach Police Departments Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244.