LBPD's release (issued in the 2 a.m. hour May 8) includes a photo (below) of the replica assault rifle recovered at the scene.

LBPD released photo

[1:15 p.m.] The L.A. County Coroner's office (source: Investigator Borros) identifies the deceased as Lionel Gibson, 21, from Long Beach. [end update]

[Scroll down for further.]

[LBPD release text] -- On Saturday, May 7, 2016, at approximately 4:46 P.M., the Long Beach Police Department received a call from a citizen who stated a man with an Uzi in his hand was in the area of 21st Street and Locust Avenue standing next to a vehicle and talking to three individuals. This call ultimately led to an officer involved shooting.

The preliminary investigation has determined the following:

• The first responding officers arrived to the area within four minutes of the phone call to police.

• The officers located the male suspect and the vehicle matching what the calling party described.

• The officers observed the male suspect and another male individual standing outside of the vehicle.

• The officers observed the butt of a gun exposed from the waistband of the suspect.

• The officers gave several verbal commands to the suspect and the individual to place their hands up.

• Despite giving several clear commands, the suspect did not comply and reached his hand toward the butt of the gun in his waistband.

• At this point an officer involved shooting occurred.

• The suspect was hit by gunfire and the officers rendered medical aid.

• Long Beach Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced the suspect deceased at the scene.

• No other individuals or officers were injured as a result of this incident.

• An assault rifle was recovered from the waistband of the suspect.

• After closer examination, the assault rifle was later determined to be an air soft replica assault rifle (actual rifle recovered is pictured above).

• The individual that was standing with the suspect and two male individuals who were located inside the vehicle were detained for further investigation.

• A handgun was recovered from one of the individuals detained. He will be booked on the charge of an ex-felon in possession of a firearm. His identity is not being released at this time pending further investigation.

• The deceased suspect has not been identified at this time. Once identification is made, his information will be released pending notification to next of kin.

• The criminal histories of all those involved will not be released at this time.

• The nature of the activities of the suspects remain unclear and the investigation is ongoing.

The Police Department thoroughly reviews all use of force incidents through a rigorous multi-step process that evaluates legal, policy, tactical and equipment issues. In addition, all officer-involved shootings where a death occurs are independently investigated by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. Additional information regarding the Long Beach Police Department Officer Involved Shooting Process is available online.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detail 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.

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A Wikipedia listing [caveat: includes representations that LBREPORT.com hasn't independently fact-checked] indicates that airsoft items in the U.S. "are generally sold with a 6mm (0.24in.) or longer orange tip on the barrel in order to distinguish them from real firearms, this is not required by federal law."

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[Wikipedia text, footnote links omitted] -- Manufacturers and importers may cite Part 272 of Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations on foreign commerce and trade (15 CFR 272), which stipulates that "no person shall manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm" without approved markings;[40] these may include an orange tip, orange barrel plug, brightly colored exterior of the whole toy, or transparent construction.[41] However these restrictions do not apply to "traditional B-B, paint-ball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a projectile through the force of compressed air, compressed gas, or mechanical spring action, or any combination thereof." [42] This language exempts airsoft guns from these requirements, placing them in the same category as bb-guns, pellet, air, and paintball, none of which are conventionally sold or used with an orange tip, and many of which bear as much resemblance to real firearms as airsoft guns do."

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A quick internet check by LBREPORT.com found at least two third-party created videos on YouTube showing how to remove the orange tips.

Preliminary information is sketchy. LBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Megan Zabel says that at about 4:46 p.m., LBPD recieved a phone call from citizen who indicated that a male subject had an Uzi in the area of 21st St./Locust Ave. and was standing next to a vehicle talking to three individuals.

When officers arrived, they located a vehicle with three individuals as described and (no information yet on circumstances) an officer involved shooting occurred. A male (age not indicated at this point) was hit; officers rendered aid but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Following the shooting, officers recovered what initially appeared to be an assault rifle but turned out to be an airsoft replica of an assault rifle. [Airsoft replicas reportedly have red tips to distinguish them from real guns; it's not immediately clear if the airsoft replica recovered in this shooting had a red tip, or if the tip could be seen from the officer's view; a release on the shooting is pending from LBPD.] Investigations are underway; we'll update this story with further information as we receive it.