Sharply Differing Descriptions Emerge Of Barry Prak, Killed In LBPD Officer Involved Shooting
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(June 30, 2016) -- Sharply differing descriptions have emerged of Barry Prak, 27, of Long Beach, who was wanted by police on an assault with a deadly weapons charge -- an attempted murder charge filed by the D.A. in a Jan. 2014 triple-victim LB shooting -- when on the morning of June 28, 2016 he fled, emerged from a residence in the 2800 block of E. 15th St., allegedly charged officers with a knife and an officer-involved shooting occurred in which he and a K9 officer were killed.
Family, friends and supporters describe Prak posthumously on Facebook in laudatory, compassionate terms. On June 29, a candlelight vigil was held in his memory. An individual on Facebook wrote [as posted]: "i remember Barry Prak. he helped save Sokha Hor [shot in a Jan. 2013 LBPD shooting] by protesting against lbpds inhumane restrictions against his friend on life support being seen by his own mother. he fought for Sokha like a true brave, and welcomed all of us strangers as family for being there. his energy was bright and positive, and the people in his life mattered to him. his friends and family are gonna need us...JUSTICE FOR BARRY PRAK!!! JUSTICE AND HUMANITY FOR ALL!!"
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On Prak's Facebook page (visible as of June 30, 2016), a November 29, 2013 picture shows him with females and children, captioned: "My Last Thanksgiving Dinner before I go to Prison." A March 14, 2013 photo shows Prak alongside three other individuals, some making hand gestures that appear to be signs, captioned: "A little something for Yall to remember Fuck you."
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LBPD has released details of the assault with deadly weapons charge for which Prak was wanted; it stemmed from a warrant on attempted murder charges in connection with a Jan. 26, 2014 triple-victim shooting in the area of Anaheim St./Lewis Ave.
[LBPD text] On January 26, 2014, around 7:20 p.m., officers on routine patrol heard shots in the area of Anaheim Street and Lewis Avenue; Officers determined a shooting occurred and located three male adult victims; Long Beach Fire Department transported the victims, with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries, to local hospitals; Assisting officers spotted a vehicle, which was possibly related. They attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit terminated when the vehicle collided with an unoccupied parked vehicle in the 1300 block of Lewis Avenue; The three occupants fled on foot and a foot pursuit ensued until officers lost sight of them; A perimeter was established and a search was conducted with air support assistance; Officers located and detained a male adult believed to be the driver...
Ren Sry, 32 years old and resident of Long Beach, was booked into Long Beach City Jail for felony evading, hit and run property damage, violation of parole, and an outstanding warrant. The Los Angeles County District Attorney filed charges of three counts of attempt murder, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of evading recklessly. He is currently being held in Los Angeles County Jail pending trial. The other two suspects were outstanding. The incident is being investigated as gang-related
Through the course of the investigation, detectives identified a second suspect. Detectives presented their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, which filed three counts attempt murder against him. Subsequently, a warrant for his arrest was issued in April 2016. This individual is the same suspect involved in the 6/28/16 officer involved shooting. The third suspect remains outstanding and the investigation is ongoing
