LBPD Releases Updated Info, And Context, Re Sunday's LB Officer-Involved Shootings, Says Officers Were Investigating String of Violent Crimes That Included A Homicide, Involved Multiple Suspects And At Least Six Victims
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(Sept. 14, 2016, 11:30 p.m.) -- LBPD has provided updated information, and released additional information providing context, in connection with Sunday's (Sept. 11) Central LB officer-involved shootings in which officers were conducting an investigation into an armed robbery.
In a Sept. 14 release, LBPD indicates that officers were conducting an investigation into a string of violent crimes -- multiple crimes over the past several hours that included a homicide -- and involved multiple suspects and at least six victims.
LBPD's release indicates that these are the suspects LBPD Detectives encountered a few hours later in the area of PCH/Lemon Ave...and believed to be armed and dangerous. LBPD says the suspects fled; two officer-involved shootings occurred; one of the two suspects was hit; a gun was recovered at the scene...but neither of the two suspects at whom officers fired was ultimately found to be in possession of a firearm at the time of their arrest.
[Scroll down for further.]
[LBPD Sept. 14 release text]
On September 11, 2016, at approximately 3:22 a.m., officers were dispatched to investigate an attempt robbery in the 100 block of West 9th Street. Several suspects attempted to rob two victims at gunpoint. The victims were able to flee before the suspects could complete the robbery or cause injury.
About 20 minutes later, at approximately 3:39 a.m., officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call in the area of Locust Avenue and East 12th Street, where a victim who sustained a gunshot injury was found on the ground. The victim, later identified as 25-year-old Juan Ricardo Garcia of Long Beach, was determined deceased at the scene. The murder was determined to be gang related.
At approximately 3:44 a.m., officers were dispatched to investigate a robbery involving multiple victims in the 1300 block of East 14th Street. The armed suspects took money, personal property, and one of the victim's car keys. The victims indicated there were four suspects who were driving two vehicles.
A few hours later, the suspects returned to the East 14th Street scene and used the stolen car keys to steal a victim's vehicle.
The investigation which continued throughout the day led detectives to a parking lot in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Lemon Avenue, where detectives spotted one of the suspect vehicles with multiple suspects believed to be armed and dangerous.
Additional details pertaining to the encounter and the officer involved shooting are provided below:
While detectives waited for assisting officers, the robbery victim's stolen vehicle pulled into the parking lot and parked near the suspect vehicle.
As detectives approached the suspects believed to be armed and dangerous, some suspects fled on foot while one of the suspects fled in a vehicle.
As a detective attempted to lawfully detain a suspect, the suspect fled on foot. During the encounter, an officer involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck by gunfire and transported to a local hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition. No charges have been filed against the suspect while the investigation continues. Ultimately, it was determined the suspect was not in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest.
Meanwhile, the fleeing vehicle collided with an unoccupied vehicle. The suspect, believed to be armed and dangerous, fled from the vehicle and at some point an officer involved shooting occurred. The suspect was not struck by gunfire and continued to run across the street into an alley where officers lost sight of him. The suspect was apprehended a short time later in the neighborhood. Ultimately, it was determined the suspect was not in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest; however, anyone who may have knowledge of a gun found in the area is urged to call Homicide detectives.
Simultaneously, three additional suspects were found inside a local business adjacent to the parking lot. They were confronted by a detective, complied with lawful orders to surrender, and were taken into custody without incident. A firearm, which was in possession of the suspects, was recovered from inside the business.
One of the suspects fled southbound from the parking lot. He entered an occupied residence in the 1700 block of Lemon Avenue. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody and will be charged with residential burglary.
This complex investigation remains ongoing. The incident is being investigated as gang-related. Suspect information is not being released at this time, so as not to interfere with the integrity of the case.
Detectives are expected to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration later this week.
Anyone with information regarding the robberies or the murder or who locates any firearms in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Lemon Avenue is urged to call Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark Bigel-Guarino, Todd Johnson, and Shea Robertson at (562) 570-7244.
