Officer shot in deadly standoff outside Long Beach church

Police in Long Beach shot and killed a person after an armed standoff that also left an officer with a gunshot wound, authorities confirmed to KTLA.

Details are limited and it’s unclear exactly how the violence unfolded, but officials with the Long Beach Police Department said on X, formerly Twitter, that the officer involved shooting occurred near the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and East 52^nd Street.  

Officials with the Long Beach Fire Department responded to the scene at around 5:45 p.m., Public Information Officer Jack Crabtree told KTLA, and added that two patients required treatment.  

One of the patients, presumably the police officer, was taken to a nearby hospital in unknown condition, while the second was pronounced dead at the scene.  

LBPD officers were spotted outside MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, where the wounded officer was taken, not long after the ordeal came to a deadly end.

In aerial footage captured by Sky5, a heavy police presence was seen on Atlantic Avenue, which was closed to traffic between 52^nd and Market streets while detectives conducted their investigation.  

Several evidence markers lined the street very near patrol vehicles.  

Not too far away, the deceased person’s body laid on the steps of the Iglesia del Cristo Miel Church along Atlantic Avenue.  

One resident, Anthony Fresura, who told photojournalists with OnScene.TV, a video news gathering service, said he walked over to the area after hearing all of the helicopters.  

“I witnessed [police] kind of talk to him for a little bit and then I witnessed – I think his name was Francis – and they said, ‘Francis, are you ready to surrender?” I saw him stand up.  Then I heard two shots ring out and the next thing I know a bunch more rang out,” he said. “The cops were on top of him, they cleared him of everything and then they started doing CPR.” 

The injured is expected to make recover, according to a statement posted to social media by Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.

“I have been informed by Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish that an officer was shot while responding to a call earlier tonight,” the mayor said. “Thankfully, the office is in stable condition with minor injuries, is in good spirits, and is expected to make a full recovery.”