Eric Arroyo, the defendant in the June 14 officer-involved shooting incident in North Long Beach that left one officer injured by friendly fire pleaded not guilty Friday to all four felony charges brought against him: two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and two counts of assault with a firearm upon a peace officer.
According to the Long Beach District Attorney’s Office, Arroyo has a pre-hearing conference scheduled for July 30.
Arroyo had experienced non-life-threatening injuries, in addition to the officer who had been wounded by a bullet. His arraignment had been delayed due to his hospitalization.
According to the LBPD, a woman reported shots fired while the suspect was nearby to dispatchers shortly after 9:00PM on Sunday, June 14, on the 3300 block of East Artesia Boulevard.
The call disconnected and the dispatcher called her back, learning the suspect was still on the scene with a gun.
When the first officer arrived a minute after the dispatch call, the woman caller flagged the officer down and screamed for help. She also pulled the patrol car door handle while “hysterical,” authorities said.
After learning the suspect had fired a gun within an apartment complex nearby, officers entered the complex to look for victims and evidence.
When they entered the complex, the suspect exited one of the apartment units and began shooting at an officer in the courtyard, said Luna.
Three officers returned fire at the suspect.
An officer and the suspect sustained gunshot injuries and were transported to local hospitals. A fellow officer took the injured officer to the hospital in his patrol car, Luna said.
Officials said the suspect then left the complex and dropped his weapon—which was later recovered.
The suspect also resisted officers who used an electronic control device to take him into custody. A second officer sustained minor injuries during that altercation.
Arroyo was booked for attempted murder of a police officer.
A release issued by the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) June 16 states that ballistic evidence found the bullet recovered from the injured officer came from a fellow officer firing at Arroyo.
According to the release, LBPD evidence shows the suspect fired rounds at two of the three officers firing at him. The LBPD will be presenting a case of two charges of attempted murder of a police officer to the LA County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
Other evidence shows the rounds that hit the wall behind the injured officer came from the suspect’s gun.
Further ballistic evidence exists and will be evaluated, according to the release.
Above, left: file photo.