Update: Officer-Involved Shooting in West Long Beach

Long Beach police officers were called regarding a group of subjects loitering in the 2100 block of W. Spring Street. Officers observed approximately 20-30 subjects with open alcoholic beverage containers near them when they arrived.

LBPD officers attempted to contact and investigate the subjects drinking in public, at which timethe suspect, who was part of the group, fled on foot. Officers gave numerous verbal commands to the suspect to stop, as he ran to an occupied parked vehicle and attempted to enter the front passenger door. The officers did not know the relationship between the fleeing suspect and the occupants of the vehicle. The suspect ignored all commands, causing officers to utilize a Conductive Electrical Weapon (Taser), in an attempt to stop him from entering the vehicle.

The deployment of the Taser device was ineffective and the officers now observed the suspect reaching toward his waist-band. The officers gave multiple lawful commands for the suspect to put his hands in the air and stop reaching towards his waistband, however, the suspect continued to ignore the orders. Fearing the suspect was retrieving a weapon, an officer involved shooting occurred.

The suspect was struck in the lower body by gunfire and was taken into custody by the officers. The Long Beach Fire Department personnel responded to treat the suspect, and transported him to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition. A weapon was not recovered at the scene of the shooting. Officers reported drugs were recovered. Officers did recover unknown drugs.

The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Ronald Clark of Bellflower. He was found to have a felony armed and dangerous warrant for his arrest and is on active parole for robbery. Booking charges are pending the suspect’s release from the hospital.

The department experienced some technical issues with the Body Worn Camera pilot program equipment on this date, and the officers involved in the incident were not equipped with their body worn cameras during their shift. Video of the incident was discovered at a nearby location and was recovered by detectives.

As with all officer involved shooting incidents, the department will be conducting a full and thorough review, as well as the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who is responsible for conducting an independent investigation of the shooting, as they do with all officer involved shootings that occur in Los Angeles County that result in injury or death.

The Long Beach Homicide Detail investigates all officer involved shootings. This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (availible at the Apple app stoe and Google Play), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org