Man Pointing Gun At Passing Vehicles Shot By Long Beach Police

LONG BEACH, CA — Police in Long Beach shot and killed a 26-year-old man Saturday following several reports that he pointed a gun at passing vehicles and at least four people.

On Monday, the coroner's office identified the slain suspect as Anthony Loia, a resident of Corona. Long Beach police officers shot Loia about a mile north of the Long Beach Police Department's downtown headquarters around 15th Street and Magnolia Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, said LBPD spokeswoman Arantxa Chavarria.

According to police, Loia was walking in the area, point a handgun at passing vehicles. Within a five-block radius of the area, there have been five shootings since the start of the year. Officers raced to the scene within minutes, according to a statement by the Long Beach Police Department.

"Arriving officers located the suspect walking northbound, who matched the detailed description provided by calling parties," the statement said. "Officers observed the male adult suspect with a firearm on the west side of the park, still brandishing his firearm. Officers gave multiple commands for the suspect to drop his firearm, the suspect refused and an officer-involved shooting occurred."

Loia died at the scene.

Long Beach police homicide detectives urged anyone with information regarding the incident to call them at 562-570-7244 or 800-222-8477.

City News Service contributed to this report.