UPDATE | Long Beach officers arrested an armed robbery suspect Thursday afternoon after he was found carrying at least one weapon at MacArthur Park and fleeing from police, resulting in an officer-involved shooting, authorities said.
Officers responded to a call of a person with a gun in MacArthur Park, at Anaheim Street and Gundry Avenue, at about 3:15PM on Thursday, September 10, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said.
According to authorities, the caller feared the suspect would rob someone at the park.
An arriving officer—who was a block away from the scene when he was dispatched—was then directed to the possible location of the suspect by a witness, officials said.
When the officer found the suspect matching the description provided by the caller, he attempted to detain him, but the suspect ran, according to authorities.
The officer—who saw the suspect carrying a firearm in his hand—pursued him in his police vehicle through the park, then southbound across Anaheim Street, into an alley behind the 1200 block of Hoffman Avenue, a press release sent out Friday from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) stated.
An officer-involved shooting then occurred when the officer confronted the suspect.
The suspect—who was not hit by gunfire—immediately complied and was safely taken into custody, according to authorities.
Two weapons were recovered, including a firearm and replica firearm, officials said.
No officers were injured during the incident.
During an investigation by the Long Beach Homicide Detail—which investigates all officer-involved shootings—detectives learned that at least two armed robberies happened in the park and are believed to be connected to the suspect, the release stated.
Officials also believe there may be additional robbery victims who left before the officers arrived.
Authorities have not released the name of the suspect due to an ongoing investigation, but did describe him as a 29-year-old Hispanic male from Long Beach.
Any unreported victims or witnesses are urged to contact the Long Beach Police Homicide Detail 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.
PREVIOUSLY: Man Arrested by Long Beach Police Following Officer-Involved Shooting in Cambodia Town
9/10/15 at 5:24PM | A man suspected of carrying a gun was arrested by Long Beach police at MacArthur Park Thursday afternoon following an officer-involved shooting, authorities said.
Police responded to a call of a person with a gun at MacArthur Park at about 3:15PM on Thursday, September 10, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said.
An officer matched the male suspect to a description provided by the caller, and attempted to detain the man when the suspect fled from him, according to officials.
A foot pursuit then ensued, followed by an officer-involved shooting, Pratt said.
The suspect was not hit and no officers were injured.
Authorities said a weapon was recovered at the scene.
Anaheim Street, from Orange to Walnut avenues, remains closed to all traffic, according to officials.
The investigation remains ongoing.
PREVIOUSLY: Non-Injury Officer-Involved Shooting Causes Street Closure in Cambodia Town Thursday Afternoon
9/10/15 at 4:10PM | An officer-involved shooting caused a portion of Anaheim Street in Long Beach’s Cambodia Town to be closed off to traffic, authorities said.
Police responded to the shooting on Thursday, September 10, at about 3:15PM on Anaheim Street, near Gundry Avenue, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said.
The suspect was not hit, she stated.
Anaheim Street, from Orange to Walnut avenues, was closed to all traffic Thursday afternoon.
This is the seventh officer-involved shooting—involving suspects—so far this year, Pratt said.
No additional information was available at this time. The Post will update this story as we learn more.
This story was updated at 4:25PM with the total number of officer-involved shootings in Long Beach so far in 2015.
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