Incident Overview
On April 26, a 17-year-old suspect was fatally shot by police in Long Beach, California, following an armed robbery incident. The suspect was armed with a replica gun.
911 Call and Initial Response
A 911 call was made from a home on Cerritos Avenue, reporting an armed suspect attempting to break in. Security cameras captured the suspect, wearing a mask and using a crowbar to enter the home. Officers arrived promptly and confronted the suspect.
Attempted Negotiation
For over 90 minutes, officers, including crisis negotiators, attempted to de-escalate the situation. The suspect repeatedly threatened to kill himself and asked the officers to shoot him.
Shooting Incident
Just before 10:00 PM, the suspect pointed a gun at an officer, prompting the officer to fire one shot. The suspect was hit and officers immediately began CPR before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Investigation and Aftermath
The weapon the suspect carried was later identified as a replica gun. The suspect was identified as a 17-year-old resident of San Bernardino. An 18-year-old accomplice was arrested in Modesto. The motive for targeting the home remains unclear. The LA County District Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent investigation as per standard protocol.
