Long Beach OIS: Suspect booked on attempted murder of officer

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- The man who was shot by Long Beach police officers on Sunday night opened fire first, said Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna at a Monday news conference.

On Sunday, Long Beach police officers responded to a woman's 911 call about hearing gunshots at an apartment complex on Artesia Boulevard and Orizaba Avenue. The first officer was on scene within a minute, Luna said.

"The woman was screaming for help hysterically, while pulling on the patrol car door handle," Luna said.

Luna said officers began a search for the suspect and came under fire.

"After they entered the complex, the suspect exited one of the apartment units and began shooting at a uniformed police officer in the courtyard. Three officers returned fire," Luna said.

The suspect, 31-year-old Eric Arroyo, was hit, but continued resisting arrest even after being shot, police said. Officers used an electronic control device to take him into custody.

One officer was also shot. Both Arroyo and the officer suffered not life threatening injuries.

The officer was rushed to Long Beach Memorial Hospital in a squad car.

Arroyo was booked for attempted murder of a police officer and remained hospitalized, Luna said.

No body cameras recorded the incident. Long Beach police plan to get them at the end of the year.