An allegedly knife-wielding man who was fatally shot in a confrontation with California Highway Patrol officers on the 710 Freeway in Long Beach was publicly identified Saturday.
Ruben Escarrega, 31, was a Long Beach resident, according to the coroner’s office.
The shooting occurred about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, shortly after CHP officers went to the northbound 710 Freeway south of the 405 Freeway in response to a report from Long Beach police of a pedestrian walking in lanes.
“CHP units arrived on scene, where they located the pedestrian holding a large-size knife,” according to a CHP statement. “CHP personnel attempted to get the pedestrian to drop the knife, but they were unsuccessful as he disobeyed all commands.”
“CHP personnel used less lethal force in an attempt to subdue the pedestrian, who refused to drop the knife. The pedestrian charged CHP personnel in an aggressive manner with the knife, and an officer-involved shooting occurred,” the statement said.
Paramedics took Escarrega to Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the coroner said.