Photos by Stephanie Rivera.
UPDATE | Long Beach police say the bullet that injured an officer in a North Long Beach officer-involved shooting came from a fellow officer, who was also shooting at the suspect.
A release issued by the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) tonight states that ballistic evidence found the bullet recovered from the injured officer came from a fellow officer firing at the suspect, who was also shot.
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.
PREVIOUSLY: Suspect In Sunday’s Officer-Involved Shooting Identified
6/16/15 at 6:09PM | Long Beach police officials have identified the suspect who shot at police officers Sunday night, striking one officer, in North Long Beach.
Long Beach resident Eric Arroyo, 31, remains hospitalized at a local hospital while the unidentified officer was undergoing surgery as of Monday afternoon, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Robert Luna said in a media briefing. Both injuries are considered non-life threatening.
“Unfortunately, this unprovoked attack on our police officer is another example of the dangers law enforcement officers face everyday,” said Luna at the briefing.
According to Luna, 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 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.
The case is still being investigated and will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.