Report Of Man-With-A-Gun @ MacArthur Park Leads To Officer-Involved Shooting; Suspect NOT Hit; Weapon Recovered; No Officers Hurt

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(Sept. 10, 2015, 11:40 p.m.) -- LBPD has issued a release with additional information regarding the incident we reported earlier.

[LBPD release text] On Thursday, September 10, 2015, at approximately 3:15 p.m., Long Beach Police responded to a report of a person with a gun at MacArthur Park, located at Anaheim Street and Gundry Avenue. Preliminary information indicated that the caller feared the subject would rob someone at the park.
The preliminary investigation has determined the following:
The first officer was about a block away when he was dispatched to the location.
Upon the officer’s arrival, a witness directed him to where the suspect could be located.
The officer located the suspect who matched the description provided by the calling party.
The officer attempted to detain the suspect for further investigation and the suspect fled on foot.
As the suspect fled, the officer observed the suspect carrying a firearm in his hand.
The officer pursued the suspect in his police vehicle through the park, then southbound across Anaheim Street into an alley behind the 1200 hundred block of Hoffman Avenue. When the officer confronted the suspect, an officer involved shooting occurred.
The suspect was not hit by gunfire. The suspect immediately complied after the officer involved shooting and was safely taken into custody.
No officers were injured as a result of this incident.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the suspect's identity is not being released at this time. He is described as a male Hispanic, 29-years-old, and a resident of Long Beach.
Two weapons were recovered, a firearm and a replica firearm.

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The Long Beach Homicide Detail investigates all officer involved shootings. Through the course of their investigation, detectives learned at least two armed robberies occurred in the park. It is possible that additional victims may have left prior to the officers’ arrival. Any unreported victims or witnesses are urged to contact the Long Beach Police Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

West Patrol Division personnel regularly meet with residents who live in the area surrounding MacArthur Park to address quality of life concerns. Residents are encouraged that if they see something, to say something. The observant caller’s willingness to call and provide information, coupled with the quick response by the officers, was instrumental in apprehending an armed suspect.

The Long Beach Police Department thoroughly reviews all use of force incidents through a rigorous multi-step process that evaluates legal, policy, tactical and equipment issues. Additional information regarding the LBPD officer involved shooting investigative process is available on the website.

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(Sept. 10, 2015, 5:15 p.m.) -- As flashed and followed on our front page this afternoon (Sept. 10), a weapon has been recovered after an LBPD spokesperson says (initial information) an officer responded to a caller reporting a man with a gun at MacArthur Park (Anaheim St./Gundry Ave.) this afternoon (Sept. 10), a man matching the description allegedly fled from the officer, a foot pursuit followed and the officer fired his weapon ("an officer involved shooting occurred")...although the suspect wasn't struck.

LBPD Public Information Officer Nancy Pratt has this initial information:

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Today (Sept. 10) at approx. 3:15 p.m., an officer responded to a person with a gun call at MacArthur Park.
The officer saw a male subject matching the description provided by the caller and attempted to detain him.
When the subject fled from the officer, a foot pursuit ensued and an officer involved shooting occurred.
The suspect was NOT hit.
No officers were injured.
A weapon was recovered at the scene. The suspect is in custody [we don't have the arresting charge(s) at this point.].
The investigation remains ongoing.

A release typically follows; we'll update our story with information as received.

Anaheim Street from Orange Avenue to Walnut Avenue was closed to all traffic for the investigation.