Long Beach police shoot, injure man they say was firing gun at another person
The incident occurred hours after police shot and killed another man suspected of a home invasion and robbery.
An investigation is underway after a Long Beach officer shot a man police officials say was firing a gun at another person Friday night.
The incident occurred just hours after Long Beach police shot and killed another man suspected of a home invasion robbery near Hamilton Middle School. Police say the two incidents do not appear to be related.
In a statement, the Long Beach Police Department said officers were on patrol near the 5800 block of Orange Avenue just before 11:45 p.m. when they saw a man firing shots at someone in the parking lot of a business. Police later identified the suspect as 43-year-old Long Beach resident Demetrius Imoesiri.
Police say Imoesiri then tried to flee northbound on Orange Avenue, so officers chased him on foot, authorities said. While giving chase, at least one officer fired multiple shots at Imoesiri, striking him once in the lower body, police said.
Officers aided the man, who was then taken to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition, according to police.
Imoesiri has since been taken into custody and booked on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, illegal possession of ammunition, obstructing a peace officer, and owning or possessing a firearm while subject to a restraining order. His bail was set at $1 million.
The person the suspect was allegedly shooting at, meanwhile, left the scene before other assisting officers were able to talk to him, police said. No other injuries were reported.
Police have not said what prompted the shooting, but said they seized a loaded firearm at the scene.
The involved officers were using body-worn cameras, and the footage will eventually be available to the public after the department reviews it, they added.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office will also review the case, a standard practice after a shooting involving an officer.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information from Long Beach police.
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