5-year-old, suspect found dead after hourslong standoff in Long Beach, police say

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A father shot and killed his 5-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself in a Long Beach neighborhood, police said.

The horrifying discovery was made following a standoff that began Thursday afternoon and lasted nearly 10 hours.

The suspect was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner as Chase Phillip Powell, 39. Neighbors identify the child as Aspen Powell.

Long Beach police responded to the 3400 block of Adriatic Avenue after a domestic violence report around 3 p.m. When officers arrived, they noticed smoke and fire coming from inside the home. They also heard what may have been gunfire, according to a police press release.

Officers believed a child was inside the home and made entry. The girl was found dead with a gunshot wound.

SWAT negotiators attempted to make contact with the suspect, who was believed to be barricaded inside, after firefighters extinguished the flames.

Several hours later, officers obtained a search warrant and found the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities are now investigating the case as a murder-suicide.

Two firearms were also recovered, police said.

"We are all devastated by the murder of a 5-year old child. This is a heartbreaking act of domestic violence that should not have happened," Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement.

Extended family told Eyewitness News the child's mother was already mourning the loss of her own father this past Wednesday.

Neighbors in the area say they heard yelling coming from the home Thursday. They added they often heard the man of the family - who lived with his wife, daughter and dog - yelling angrily.

People living in the area were evacuated Thursday and suspected the worse when they heard a couple gunshots followed by silence.

"We're heartbroken. It's after Christmas coming to the new year and this happens," said neighbor Alvin Adrada. "'We're neighbors. I don't know if they're gonna move back here. We don't know."