UPDATE: DA's Office Declines To File Charges, Says It Was Self-Defense; Man Fatally Stabbed in NLB Apt., Possible Dispute With Another Person in Apt. Complex
(May 2, 2014) -- An April 23 fatal stabbing in a NLB apartment complex has been judged self-defense by the L.A. County District Attorney's office.
In a release, LBPD states:
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has ruled the April 23, 2014, stabbing, which resulted in the death of 47-year-old Michael Hess of Long Beach, a case of self defense.
The preliminary investigation determined that Hess had been involved in a dispute with a 52-year-old male subject who resided in his apartment complex, located in the 6500 block of Indiana Avenue, prior to the stabbing. That subject was identified and arrested the following day, April 24, 2014.
As the investigation progressed, detectives learned that Hess was involved in both a verbal dispute and physical altercation with the male subject in the garage area, over a personal disagreement. The male subject attempted to end the dispute; however, Victim Hess would not let him. Hess repeatedly re-instigated the argument, along with the physical altercation, causing the male subject to eventually retreat into his apartment inside the complex. Victim Hess continued to pursue the male subject and climbed a 6-foot gate to gain access to a secured area of the complex where the male subject’s window could be accessed. Realizing that Hess was attempting to get in the apartment through the bathroom window, the male subject’s roommate called 9-1-1. Hess was successful in pulling a screwed in screen off of the bathroom window, and climbing inside. Knowing that Hess was trained in martial arts, the male subject armed himself with a kitchen knife. When Hess entered the male subject’s bedroom and went after him, the male subject defended himself, which resulted in Hess sustaining multiple stab wounds.
Hess was determined deceased at the scene by paramedics.
Long Beach Police Homicide detectives concluded their investigation, and presented the case, which included video evidence that corroborated witness statements, to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on April 28, 2014.
The District Attorney’s office reviewed the case and determined that the male subject had acted in self defense and filing charges was not warranted.
(April 24, 2014) -- A man (adult) was fatally stabbed in a NLB apartment last night (April 23) in what police say their a investigation indicates was an ongoing dispute with another male (age not indicated) at the apartment complex.
In a release, LBPD states:
On Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Long Beach Police responded to an apartment complex in the 6500 block of Indiana Avenue in regards to an assault with a deadly weapon call, which resulted in the death of a male adult.
When officers arrived, they discovered the victim inside an apartment, who had sustained multiple stab wounds. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics responded and determined the victim deceased at the scene.
Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives learned that the victim, identified as 47-year-old Michael Hess of Long Beach, had been involved in a dispute with another male at the complex prior to the stabbing.
No suspect information is available at this time and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Greg Krabbe and Mark McGuire at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
