Man with airsoft gun killed in Long Beach officer-involved shooting

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- One man armed with an airsoft gun was killed in an officer-involved shooting in Long Beach Saturday afternoon, officials said.

The incident happened at 21st Street and Locust Avenue, authorities from the Long Beach Police Department said.

Police said officers responded to the neighborhood and saw a man, armed with what appeared to be an assault rifle, talking to a man near a parked car.

Officers gave several commands to place hands up, but when the suspect did not comply and reached his hand toward the butt of the gun in his waistband, police opened fire, according to the LBPD.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, and when authorities located the gun next to his body, they found it was an airsoft replica assault rifle.

Neighbor's home at the time said they heard the officers yell at the suspect before they opened fire.

"They asked the people to drop the weapon. They didn't follow their orders and, pretty much, they felt threatened by that or something like that because they started shooting," said neighborhood resident Maria Arevalos.

The individual that was standing with the suspect and two others who were located inside the vehicle were detained for further investigation.

The identity of the man shot by police was not released. No officers were injured in the incident.