LONG BEACH — A man was fatally shot in a shootout with police and an officer was also shot, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday in Long Beach.
The shooting occurred around 5:40 p.m. in the 5200 block of Atlantic Avenue, after roughly two and a half hours of de-escalation that included a hostage negotiator, mental evaluation team and eventually SWAT resources, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) said.
In a statement, LBPD said officers initially responded to the scene around 3:15 p.m., where the de-escalation attempts began. The suspect was uncooperative and eventually the suspect and officers discharged their weapons, police said. Police confirmed that an officer was shot in the arm — he was treated and released from a hospital.
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Aid was rendered to the suspect by officers and Long Beach Fire Department personnel, but he was declared dead at the scene.
The department also shared an image of a firearm that was recovered at the scene. The suspect has not been identified, described only as a man by authorities.
ABC7 reported that prior to the shooting, the man was sitting on the steps of the Iglesia de Cristo Miel church on Atlantic Avenue.
Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish spoke to the news media near the scene. Hebeish said police received a call from a currently unknown person stating that there was a person in front of the church with a gun. Hebeish confirmed that at some point during the interaction the gun was visible and stated that it is currently not known if the now-deceased suspect was affiliated with the church or lived in the area.
Witnesses interviewed at the scene by CBS LA reported hearing at least eight shots and previously heard police negotiating with the suspect over a loudspeaker and asking the crowd that formed to move back.
During the investigation, Atlantic was closed in both directions between 52nd Street and Market Street, police said on X.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson reacted to the shooting on X, thanking first responders for their dedication to community safety.
“I have been informed by Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish that an officer was shot while responding to a call earlier tonight,” Richardson wrote on X. “Thankfully, the officer is in stable condition with minor injuries, is in good spirits, and is expected to make a full recovery.”
Staff writer Ryanne Mena contributed to this story