Suspect killed in Long Beach officer-involved shooting

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A knife-wielding suspect was shot and killed by Long Beach police after he broke into his neighbor's home and killed his dog.

"Sirens pulled up. It was clear that they were very close so I was hoping nothing was wrong right outside, and then no noise until 10 shots I heard from my bathroom," Long Beach resident Sarah McGovern said.

Police responded to the 300 block of Cherry Avenue regarding an armed residential robbery at about 3:55 p.m.

The male suspect tried to break into his neighbor's apartment. As the suspect approached the front door, the suspect's neighbor ran out the back door.

"Apparently, for an unknown reason at this time, the suspect tried to break into the residence. At that point, the residents ran out the front in fear of being assaulted and subsequently called the police," Long Beach police Sgt. Brad Johnson said.

Responding officers made contact with the suspect and an officer-involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck and pronounced dead at the scene.

No officers were injured. A knife was found at the scene. The suspect's neighbor's dog was found dead inside the apartment.

According to investigators, the suspect and victim had known each other for 10 years. What sparked the violence remains unknown, but friends who did not want to talk on camera say the pair have had an ongoing feud for some time.

Some neighbors are raising concerns over the deadly officer-involved shooting, saying they didn't hear officers order the suspect to stop or drop the weapon before the shooting started.

"I think Long Beach has way too much of it, yeah for sure. The LBPD, police nationwide are really on watch by the citizens, I think, and so I'm one of them, for sure, that is concerned," McGovern said.

The investigation is ongoing. The investigation is being handled by the Long Beach Police Department and the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, which is routine protocol following officer-involved shootings.