LB Cop Who Killed Unarmed Teen Has History of Shooting and Heroics

The Long Beach police officer who fatally wounded an unarmed 19-year-old man during a trespassing call April 23 is a 25-year veteran who was involved in a previous officer-involved shooting, it was reported today.

The Long Beach Police Department released Officer Jeffrey A. Meyer’s name in response to a public records request, the Press-Telegram reported. But police declined to release copies of arrest and investigative reports that also were requested by the Press-Telegram.

Meyer fired the shots that killed Hector Morejon after police responded to a report of trespassing and vandalism at a vacant apartment unit in the 1100 block of Hoffman Avenue, which is in the Cambodia Town area of Long Beach.

Police said Meyer fired his weapon when he saw Morejon turn around and extend his arm outward as if pointing a firearm.

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Sgt. Megan Zabel, a police department spokeswoman, confirmed Tuesday that Meyer was involved in two prior incidents in which force was used: an officer-involved shooting in March 2002 and the use of a Taser to subdue a man who had stabbed a woman in the neck, according to the Press-Telegram. He has also received two awards for heroics on the force.

Meyer has been taken off field work while the investigation continues.

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City News Service