Two men were found shot to death inside a home Saturday after police exchanged gunfire with a suspect in the California Heights community of Long Beach, authorities said.
Officers were dispatched at about 1:45 a.m. Saturday to a “shots” call in the 3700 block of Gardenia Avenue, near Cherry Avenue and Bixby Road, according to the Long Beach Police Department, which said the calling party reported hearing two shots from a nearby residence.
“Shortly after arriving on scene, officers contacted a male adult suspect, who was in the residence,” according to a police statement. “The suspect threatened to shoot the officers. Officers retreated to a safe distance and requested assistance.”
Police said the suspect fired shots at officers, and one officer fired back. The suspect remained inside the residence and a SWAT team was dispatched to the scene.
The SWAT team eventually made its way into the home and discovered two men dead from gunshot wounds to the upper body.
No officers were injured.
“At this time, the circumstances for each decedent’s death remain under investigation,” police said. “Multiple firearms and evidence were recovered from inside the residence. Officers were equipped with body-worn cameras. LBPD is in the process of reviewing the footage and will make that available to the public as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information about the case was urged to call the LBPD at 562-570-7244. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
