2 dead, including gunman after shooting at Long Beach bar

On Wednesday, at 12:20 a.m., LBPD patrol officer was waived down and told there was a shooting inside of a business in the 1700 block of East Artesia Boulevard. As the officer approached the business, he heard additional shots being fired. The officer could see into the business, saw the suspect with a gun and an officer involved shooting occurred.

Immediately following the shooting, the Communication Center received a 9-1-1 call from a patron inside the business indicating there was a shooting inside and there were other patrons locked in a storeroom. The initial officer lost sight of the suspect and although it was believed the suspect was still inside, his exact location was unknown. On duty S.W.A.T. officers responded to the scene to locate the suspect and rescue the patrons from the storeroom. Once inside, S.W.A.T. officers located the male adult suspect on the ground, non-responsive and still holding the firearm. The Long Beach Fire Department arrived and determined the suspect deceased at the scene.

Based on the preliminary investigation, the suspect was inside the business when he confronted and shot a male adult working inside the business. Although this victim was shot in the upper torso, he was able to run out of the business. He was later taken to a local hospital by the Long Beach Fire Department with non-life-threatening injuries. After this initial shooting with the employee, there is evidence that the suspect exchanged gunfire with an unknown patron of the business. The suspect then moved to another portion of the business where he shot and killed an adult male victim before being confronted by the officer.

No officers were injured in this incident and several patrons reported minor injuries they sustained while fleeing the business.

Homicide Detectives responded to the scene for the investigation. The motive behind the initial shooting is unknown at this time. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will be conducting a separate investigation of the incident as they do with all officer involved shootings. The decedents will be identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, who will also notify the next of kin.

The Department believes that the individuals who reported the incident and the quick actions of the officers involved prevented additional casualties during this incident.

We urge anyone with any information regarding the officer involved shooting to contact Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives Malcolm Evans and Robert Gonzales at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.