The suspect had been sitting on the steps of the Iglesia de Cristo Miel on Atlantic Avenue in a standoff with officers for more than two hours before the gunfire erupted.
The suspect curled up on the steps and slowly appeared to lose consciousness. Officers approached and then began performing CPR for several minutes but were unable to revive him.
Long Beach Fire personnel declared the suspect dead at the scene.
One officer was struck by gunfire in the arm and treated at the scene by fire personnel. The officer was transported to the hospital for medical assistance and was later released.
The incident first unfolded around 3:15 p.m. when officers were called to the area on a report of a man with a gun, according to Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish.
A hostage negotiator, mental evaluation team and SWAT personnel responded to assist the officers with the uncooperative suspect in an effort to de-escalate the situation.
"The officers were extremely patient. This speaks to de-escalation and you hear that over and over again," Hebeish said. "They tried to do everything they could to resolve this situation safely. That's what they are trained to do and that's what they did tonight."
A firearm was recovered at the scene near the suspect's body.
A woman was also detained for approaching officers at a critical time during the incident. It is unclear what her role was or whether she was arrested.
"Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe," Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement posted on X. "I commend and thank each of them for their bravery and dedication".
Long Beach police closed Atlantic Avenue in both directions between 52nd Street and Market Street as the investigation continued.