Long Beach police shoot suspect who allegedly stabbed 1 person, assaulted several others

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Long Beach police officers shot a man who reportedly stabbed at least one person with a screwdriver and assaulted several others in public on Tuesday.

The incident occurred shortly before noon off 2nd Street near Livingston Drive, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

Police say the suspect first assaulted a man and woman in the 200 block of Park Avenue. He then walked into nearby Livingston Park and attacked a grandfather who was holding his 2-year-old grandchild. The child fell to the ground, suffering minor injuries. Good Samaritan rushed to help the grandfather.

"It was crazy, a lot of screaming kids, screaming adults, screaming people running away from the park," said witness Rick Blankenship. "Then I saw a gentleman over someone else kind of beating him up."

The suspect then walked down to 2nd Street and stabbed a man with a screwdriver in front of a local business and then walked away westbound. Police were called on reports of multiple stabbings but say they only confirmed one stabbing, along with the physical assaults.

Officers arrived on scene within 5-6 minutes of the first call, according to Long Beach Police Cmdr. Michael Pennino.

Pennino said the suspect ignored commands to stop and drop his weapon and continued walking along the side of the bank into the parking lot.

More officers arrived and when the suspect began apparently trying to enter a residence in the area, that's when officers opened fire. The suspect, who is believed to be 33 years old, was struck once in the upper body and then transported to a local hospital. Police said he tried to get into a nearby home.

Witnesses said the suspect appeared to be under the influence or having a mental issue. Blankenship credits the actions of the Good Samaritans in the park.

"If it wasn't for the heroics of those folks, I think it could've been much worse," he said.

Police say four people who were assaulted had minor wounds and were treated on the scene. The man who was stabbed with a screwdriver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, is expected to survive. He is expected to face charges that include attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.