Officers shot and killed a knife-wielding man in Long Beach’s Zaferia neighborhood Sunday night after he told authorities he wanted to commit “suicide by cop,” according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).

Police responded to a call of an armed suicidal man on the 1600 block of Obispo Avenue at about 9:15PM on Sunday, September 4, an LBPD release stated.

“The male caller said he wanted to commit ‘suicide by cop’ and said he was armed with a handgun,” officials stated.

Responding officers then set up a containment and devised a plan to deal with the suicidal man. They also called for additional resources, including the Air Support Unit (ASU) and a Mental Evaluation Team (MET), according to the release.

While the officers’ plan evolved, the unit informed authorities that the man was “acting agitated” and neighbors were “in close proximity” to him.

At about 10:15PM a team of officers, including a MET officer, approached the man armed with a large knife, and gave him numerous verbal commands to drop the weapon.

“The subject failed to follow the officer’s orders and subsequently charged at them while still armed with the knife and an officer-involved shooting occurred,” authorities stated.

The man was shot and fell to the ground.

Police immediately started performing life saving measures until Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) personnel arrived and declared him dead at the scene, according to the release.

A large knife was recovered at the scene.

The man will be identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner, which is conducting its own independent investigation as to the cause of death, officials stated.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office as well as the Long Beach Homicide Detail are conducting their own investigations of the shooting.

The Long Beach Homicide Detail investigates all officer involved shootings. This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Homicide Detectives at 562.570.7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1.800.222.TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting http://www.lacrimestoppers.org/.

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Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.