UPDATE | A man shot and killed by Long Beach police Saturday has been identified as a 21-year-old Long Beach resident.
The coroner’s office identified the man as Lionel Gibson. He was fatally shot after a witness called 9-1-1 when they allegedly saw a man with an Uzi in his hand talking to three individuals near 21st Street and Locust Avenue on Saturday, May 8 at 4:46PM, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
Officers arrived shortly after and observed Gibson with the butt of a gun (which was later found to be an air soft replica assault rifle) exposed in his waistband. After giving clear verbal commands, Gibson allegedly did not comply and instead drew his hand toward the butt of the gun and police responded with gunfire. Gibson died at the scene.
A GoFundMe page was set up by the family on May 7 to help with unspecified costs. As of the afternoon of May 10, $25 has been raised.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Photo courtesy of Lionel Gibson’s Facebook page.
This report was updated on 05/10/16 at 9:54AM, clarifying the type of weapon found on the suspect.
PREVIOUSLY: Man Carrying Assault Rifle-Style Airsoft Gun Dies Saturday in Long Beach Officer-Involved Shooting
05/09/16 at 11:40AM | A man carrying an air soft replica assault rifle was killed by police in an officer-involved shooting yesterday evening near Poly High, and three other men associated with the individual were detained, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) announced early this morning.
According to a release issued today, police were dispatched at 4:46PM on a call from a citizen alleging that a man with an Uzi in his hand was talking to three individuals in the area of 21st Street and Locust Avenue.
Officers arrived within four minutes of the phone call, according to the LBPD, locating the individuals described—two individuals standing outside of a car and two individuals inside the car.
Officers did observe one individual with the butt of a gun exposed in his waistband.
The police stated that officers gave several “clear” verbal commands to the suspect and his companion, but the suspect did not comply. Police said the suspect instead drew his hand toward the butt of the gun in his waistband.
Police responded with gunfire; the suspect was hit and officers responded with medical aid, according to the LBPD.
Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) personnel later arrived and determined that the suspect was dead at the scene.
The other individuals were not hit or injured, the LBPD stated.
A weapon officers initially thought was an assault rifle was recovered from the suspect’s waistband. It was later determined to be an airsoft replica assault rifle.
A handgun was recovered from one of the individuals detained. He will be booked on the charge of an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, according to the LBPD.
The identity of the individual charged with possessing a firearm and the identity of the suspect killed are not being released at this time. The first individual’s identity will not be released, pending further investigation. The suspect’s identity is pending notification of next in kin, according to the LBPD.
The criminal histories of the individuals will not be released at this time. Police said what the suspects were doing before the shooting remains unclear.
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,” the LBPD stated. “In addition, all officer-involved shootings where a death occurs are independently investigated by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.”
For more information, visit the officer-involved shooting investigation section of the LBPD website.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detail at 562.570.7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1.800.222.TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Above, left: Photo of air soft replica assault rifle uncovered, courtesy of the LBPD.
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