Long Beach
Police Department

On March 16, 2023, at approximately 1:49 p.m., LBPD officers responded to a residence in the 00 block of W. 53rd St regarding an attempted suicide, which later resulted in the death of a male adult.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a female adult calling party who stated she was concerned for her friend's well-being, who had threatened to kill himself and harm others. 

Officers entered the residence and found a man inside suffering from multiple self-inflicted stab wounds to his upper body.

Officers saw the man was still armed with a knife and bleeding profusely. They began talking to him and made several attempts to persuade him to drop the knife, but he continued stabbing himself. In an attempt to help save his life and stop him from inflicting additional injury to himself, officers deployed their conducted electrical weapons (taser), to disarm the man so officers would be able to render medical aid. After several minutes, officers were able to disarm the man.

LBFD personnel entered the residence and transported the man to a local hospital with life-threatening stab wounds. The man later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene to investigate the incident. 

A Trauma Intervention Program volunteer responded and provided emotional support to the calling party. 

Due to the use of force and the fact the man was handcuffed for the safety of himself and others, this is considered an in-custody death investigation.

The Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner will conduct an independent investigation and determine the cause of death.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent investigation into the incident, as is common in in-custody deaths where force was used.  

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Sean Magee or Juan Carlos Reyes at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play) or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.