Long Beach Police Officer Shoots And Wounds Man Armed With Knife

On Thursday, October 20, 2016, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Long Beach Police were dispatched to a public intoxication call in the 100 block of The Colonnade, which subsequently resulted in an officer involved shooting.

The available preliminary information is provided below:

• A resident called to report a male adult, who appeared to be intoxicated, was trying to enter through the resident’s front door

• After arriving officers spoke with the resident, the officers spotted the male adult walking down the sidewalk

• Officers called to the man to stop so they could investigate why he tried to enter the caller’s home; however, he ignored them and kept walking

• As the officers followed him, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and drew a knife to his own throat and began cutting it repeatedly while advancing on the officers

• The officers gave him verbal commands to drop the knife while preparing to utilize intermediate force options (less lethal devices).

• Before the officers could deploy any device and as they continued to direct the suspect to drop the knife and surrender, the suspect raised the knife towards the officers while quickly advancing at them, and an officer involved shooting occurred

• Officers took the suspect into custody and began life saving measures while waiting for paramedics to arrive

• Long Beach Fire Department personnel transported the suspect to a local hospital where he underwent surgery. The suspect is in stable but critical condition.

• No officers were injured in this incident

• The suspect has been identified as 25-year-old Richard Everhart, a resident of Lakewood

• Everhart is in custody for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. The case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office early next week.

• The investigation remains ongoing

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 or death.

Anyone who may have information or video related to this incident is asked to call the Long Beach Police Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org