Man Critically Injured In Long Beach Police Shooting

LONG BEACH, CA — A 21-year-old man is in critical condition after a chase and shootout Monday with Long Beach police officers.

Police say around 2 p.m. Monday witnesses reported hearing gunfire at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. When officers arrived, they say they park was empty but they quickly identified a suspect, who theyve named as 21-year-old Robert Welch, and saw him riding a bike on East Leigh Court near the Orange Avenue.

Officers say they tried to approach Welch but he took off, eventually ditching the bike and running on foot. At some point in the chase police say Welch drew a gun and fired on the pursuing officers, and which point they also drew their guns and opened fire. One officer hit Welch in the upper chest, critically injuring him and ending the chase.

The Long Beach Fire Department then took Welch to a nearby hospital for treatment. He remains in critical condition, but medics say he has stable vital signs.

Police are still investigating the park shooting that lead to the chase, and are asking anyone who may have seen anything or with information on the shooting call their tip line. They can report a tip anonymously by calling 800-222-TIPS.