Man Who Allegedly Fired Handgun Into Air On New Year's Eve (And Allegedly Sought To Walk Away From Arriving Officers) Is Arrested, And Another Man Is Shot/Wounded by LBPD After Alleged Assault w/ Deadly Weapon on Police Officer

(Jan. 1, 2012, 3:30 p.m.) -- A Long Beach man who allegedly fired a handgun into the air on New Year's Eve was arrested, and another Long Beach man is hospitalized in critical but stable condition (and may face charges including assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of a loaded firearm in public and a probation violation) in connection with an officer-involved shooting in the area of Cherry Ave. just south of PCH.

In a release, LBPD says that officers in a two-officer car were patroling in a marked black-and-white patrol vehicle when they heard a gunshot coming from the 1700 block of Cherry Ave. In driving to the area to investigate, the release says the officers came across a group of subjects who included Chhann Chhaim, 33, of Long Beach, who police say attempted to walk away from the officers and refused to stop.

The release says LBPD's investigation later indicated that prior to the officers arriving on scene, Mr. Chhaim allegedly fired his weapon into the air, and as he walked away from the arriving officers, he dropped a handgun.

[Release text] A second subject in the group, identified as 25-year-old Songha Lewis and also from Long Beach, picked up the gun and started running down the sidewalk in the direction of one of the officers and an officer involved shooting occurred.

Suspect Lewis was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition, and is in custody on a no bail burglary warrant.

Detectives will be presenting a criminal case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with a request that he [Lewis] be charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of a loaded firearm in public, and a probation violation.

Suspect Chhaim was arrested and booked for ex-felon with a firearm, discharging a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in public by a gang member, and resisting arrest. He is being held at the Long Beach City Jail on 35,000 bail.