Authorities have cleared a scene where a shooting suspect appeared to be barricaded in a building on the Century Villages at Cabrillo campus. The update comes after officials ordered nearby residents earlier Wednesday to evacuate or shelter in place amid the investigation.

The investigation began shortly before 10 a.m., when officers in the area heard what sounded like gunfire. Shortly after, they found evidence of a shooting in the 2100 block of Williams Street.

The Long Beach Police Department later said the suspect had barricaded himself in a building, and officers established a perimeter at the scene.

On Wednesday afternoon, officials confirmed they are investigating the incident as a suicide and said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

“We encourage residents who have any questions or need help to speak with their case manager or another member of our dedicated support team,” Century Villages spokesperson Sara Williams said.

Century Villages at Cabrillo is a 27-acre campus near Cabrillo High School that provides affordable housing and services to people who were formerly homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Chris Eftychiou, a spokesperson for the Long Beach Unified School District, said Cabrillo High School students and staff temporarily sheltered in place, and then students were relocated to the east side of campus for about an hour.

“We kept in touch with School Safety and law enforcement to make sure our campus remained safe the entire time,” Eftychiou said.

School operations returned to normal by 12:40 p.m, he added. 

Police officers and firefighters approach a doorway in a housing complex, surrounded by crime scene tape.
Long Beach police and fire officials investigate as a shooting suspect appears to be barricaded inside a building at Century Villages at Cabrillo on the city’s Westside on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Fernando Haro