Man Threatens to Use His Baby as Shield During Chase/Shootout, Police Say

A 22-year-old domestic abuse suspect, with his 5- month-old baby inside his vehicle, was chased by police from Long Beach to San Pedro today in a pursuit that included at least two shootouts, but neither the infant nor the chased driver were hurt, police said.

One Long Beach police officer suffered minor injuries in the second shootout, when glass shattered in a patrol car, Nancy Pratt of the Long Beach Police Department said.

The incident began just before 2 a.m. with a shooting during a domestic dispute at a home the suspect shares with the mother of his son and other family members in the 6500 block of East Rosebay Street, Pratt said.

The suspect, identified as parolee Joseph Gonzales, was gone when officers arrived, but he called the home and said he was on his way back with his infant son, Pratt said, adding that the man leveled threats at his family members and police officers.

“He specifically stated he would harm the baby and use him as a shield against police,” Pratt said.

He returned to the scene in a dark-colored SUV, got out and confronted officers, prompting an exchange of gunfire, she said.

“The suspect then got back in his vehicle and fled, and officers initiated a vehicle pursuit,” Pratt said. “It was unknown if the baby was actually in the vehicle.”

In the area of Bandini and Oliver streets in San Pedro, Gonzales stopped the SUV and shot at officers, who returned fire, she said.

Gonzales then got back into the vehicle and drove a short distance before stopping and surrendering, Pratt said.

“The infant was located in the back seat of the suspect’s vehicle at the conclusion of the pursuit. Although uninjured, he was transported to a local hospital as a precaution and released later to family in San Pedro. A handgun was found in the front seat of the suspect’s vehicle,” she said.

The injured officer was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released, Pratt said.

Gonzales was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, evading police, child cruelty that could result in possible injury or death, assault with a firearm on a police officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and a parole violation, she said.

He was being held without bail at the Long Beach City Jail, Pratt said.

• City News Service