Update: LBPD SWAT response to a gunman at Flamingo Inn Motel

On Thursday at 12:45pm, officers responded to reports of a person with a gun in the 5300 Block of Atlantic Avenue involving an unknown suspect, which was later to be determined as a criminal threats investigation. Streets were closed near Atlantic and Market in North Long Beach during the investigation.  Upon arrival, officers contacted two male adult victims who stated a male adult and female adult suspect were asked to leave a business in the 5300 block of Atlantic Ave when the male suspect made a verbal threat and brandished a firearm.

The female adult suspect was taken into custody without incident and the male adult suspect barricaded himself inside a nearby location. SWAT was activated, entered the location and took the male suspect into custody. Jovan Vargas, a 33-year-old resident of Long Beach, was booked for making a criminal threat, felon in possession of a firearm, receiving known stolen property, and is being held on $50,000 bail.

38-year-old resident of Long Beach, Maria Garcia, was booked for felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, an outstanding warrant and is being held on $36,000 bail. The two suspects were known to each other but didn’t know the victims, and the two firearms were recovered at the scene. Gang Investigations detectives responded and the investigation is ongoing.

By Yasmine Tanres