Knife-Wielding Man Shot, Killed by Long Beach Police

Long Beach police shot and killed a knife-wielding man at an arcade after trying less-lethal options, authorities said Tuesday.

Officers went to Looff’s Lite-A-Line Casino Game of Skill, 2500 Long Beach Blvd., at 10:08 p.m. Monday in response to a report of a man inside the business with a knife, said Long Beach police Sgt. Brad Johnson.

A subsequent report received before officers arrived indicated the man was waving the knife and some customers had left in fear of their lives, Johnson said. Another report indicated the man had been thrown out of the business once before for being disruptive.

Once officers were on the scene, the man disregarded their verbal commands to drop the knife, the sergeant said.

“Officers tried a less-lethal electronic control device and baton and neither less-lethal force was effective,” he said. “An officer-involved shooting occurred.”

Officers started life-saving measures and arriving Long Beach firefighters continued the effort until pronouncing the man dead at the scene, Johnson said.

His name was withheld pending notification of his family.

“No officers or citizens were injured and a knife was recovered at the scene,” he said.

“Limited portions of the incident were captured on video, which will be reviewed by homicide detectives, in addition to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office,” according to a police statement.

Northbound Long Beach Boulevard was closed from Burnett to Willow streets while an investigation was underway.

—City News Service