LONG BEACH, CA - A man in his forties is in custody following his arrest by the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) during an assault on a police officer in downtown Long Beach.
On Friday, at approximately 2:42 p.m., LBPD officers responded to a call in the 200 block of West Broadway, west of Pacific Avenue, where they learned that a man, later identified as Arturo Fernandez, was possibly armed with a weapon, NBC4 reported.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Fernandez matching the description provided by the 911 call. Officers attempted verbal de-escalation to get Fernandez to surrender, but the situation escalated to the use of force when Fernandez produced a knife and stabbed an LBPD officer several times.
Four uniformed Department of Homeland Security federal air marshals who were working on a security assignment nearby witnessed the assault and rushed to the aid of the officers, assisting them in taking the knife-wielding suspect into custody.
After being medically cleared at the hospital, Fernandez was booked at Long Beach City Jail for attempted murder. His bail was set at $1 million. The officer was taken to the hospital and has since been released.
"The violent actions of this individual serve as a stark reminder of not just the dangers faced by our police officers, but also their continued dedication to protecting our community each day," said LBPD Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. "This officer put himself in harm's way in the defense of others and sustained serious injuries in doing so. I am very grateful that he is going to recover."
Officers recovered a knife at the scene. "I would also like to commend the additional LBPD officers who were at the scene and the federal air marshals who helped take this dangerous suspect into custody without further incident," the chief said.
Investigators said the preliminary investigation indicates multiple people were involved in a fight before officers' arrival and that Fernandez was armed with a knife, KTLA reported. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office next week, authorities said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Long Beach Police homicide detectives at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS.
On Friday, at approximately 2:42 p.m., LBPD officers responded to a call in the 200 block of West Broadway, west of Pacific Avenue, where they learned that a man, later identified as Arturo Fernandez, was possibly armed with a weapon, NBC4 reported.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Fernandez matching the description provided by the 911 call. Officers attempted verbal de-escalation to get Fernandez to surrender, but the situation escalated to the use of force when Fernandez produced a knife and stabbed an LBPD officer several times.
Four uniformed Department of Homeland Security federal air marshals who were working on a security assignment nearby witnessed the assault and rushed to the aid of the officers, assisting them in taking the knife-wielding suspect into custody.
After being medically cleared at the hospital, Fernandez was booked at Long Beach City Jail for attempted murder. His bail was set at $1 million. The officer was taken to the hospital and has since been released.
"The violent actions of this individual serve as a stark reminder of not just the dangers faced by our police officers, but also their continued dedication to protecting our community each day," said LBPD Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. "This officer put himself in harm's way in the defense of others and sustained serious injuries in doing so. I am very grateful that he is going to recover."
Officers recovered a knife at the scene. "I would also like to commend the additional LBPD officers who were at the scene and the federal air marshals who helped take this dangerous suspect into custody without further incident," the chief said.
Investigators said the preliminary investigation indicates multiple people were involved in a fight before officers' arrival and that Fernandez was armed with a knife, KTLA reported. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office next week, authorities said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Long Beach Police homicide detectives at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS.
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