UPDATE: Armed Suspect Killed after Confrontation with Police

On Thursday, February 20, 2020, at approximately 9:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Market Street and Atlantic Avenue in response to a shooting call, which subsequently resulted in an officer involved shooting.  

As officers were responding they were updated by dispatch that the suspect had opened fire in front of a restaurant in the 5400 block of Atlantic where he injured a male adult victim. After this initial shooting the suspect remained in the area. Arriving officers were also informed of a second shooting in the area where an adult female victim was struck by gunfire. Within a few minutes the first single officer arrived and encountered the suspect who was armed with a shotgun. The officer believed the suspect, a male adult, was responsible for the previous shootings. At that time, the officer involved shooting occurred near the intersection.

As a second assisting officer in a marked black and white police vehicle arrived on scene the suspect fired at least twice at the arriving officer’s police vehicle. At which time the officer intentionally struck the suspect with the police vehicle, stopping the suspect from continuing to fire. A shotgun was recovered on the street near the suspect.

Long Beach Fire Department responded and transported two victims to a local hospital, one is in critical condition. One officer was transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure after the collision. The suspect was determined deceased at the scene.

At this time the suspect is only being identified as a 22-year -old resident of Long Beach.

A motive for the shooting is currently unknown.

As with all officer involved shooting incidents, the Department will be conducting a full and thorough multi-level review of the incident. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent investigation of the incident, as they do with all officer involved shootings that result in injury or death.

At the time of the incident several witnesses were in the nearby area. Officers contacted them for additional information and ask anyone who may have observed the incident to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Michael Hubbard and Leticia Gamboa 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.