5 Injured, Stabbing Suspect Shot By Police In Belmont Shore
LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach Police Department officers opened fire on a man suspected of injuring five people in Belmont Shore Tuesday morning, triggering road closures in the area.
The shooting occurred in a busy shopping and residential area just off 2nd Street just before noon on Tuesday. LBPD spokesperson Michael Pennino said of the five people injured, four were physically assaulted, including a 2-year-old child, and one was stabbed with a screwdriver.
However, Long Beach Fire Department spokesman Brian Fisk told Patch that four people were treated for stab wounds. One victim was transported to an area trauma center and three others were treated for stab wounds at the scene, he said. The suspect was also rushed to an area trauma center, he added.
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One stabbing victim remained at the scene for about an hour before climbing into a waiting ambulance of his own accord. The four remaining victims were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
According to Pennino, the suspect first approached a man and a woman near a playground popular with young families and assaulted the pair before walking into the park. The suspect then approached another man who was holding a child inside the park and assaulted him, causing him to drop the 2-year-old according to Pennino.
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Police said the suspect then made his way to 2nd Street where he confronted another man in front of a business and stabbed him. Officers arrived at the scene and confronted the suspect, who was still holding the screwdriver.
“An officer-involved shooting occurred when the suspect, who was armed with a weapon, attempted to enter a residential location,” Pennino said.
Witnesses told Patch they watched police shoot at the stabbing suspect multiple times. They also reported seeing multiple stabbing victims.
“They tried two to three times to get him to stop,” witness Robert Colenzo told Patch.
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The suspect kept walking, and that’s when police shot him, striking him one time, Colenzo said.
Pennino said the suspect could face multiple assault charges as well as attempted murder, according to Pennino.
The park remains closed off as detectives search for evidence. Officers are still investigating the motive for the attacks, but officials said they don’t believe the suspect knew any of the victims.
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