Yesterday, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) provided a statement about an officer-involved shooting in the 300 block of 69th Way. The incident stemmed from a response to a stabbing call involving a mother and her son, Eriberto Penaloza. Regrettably, Penaloza did succumb to the injuries incurred during his altercation with responding officers as reported by the LBPD.
Officers arrived at the scene about 8:57 a.m. They had been informed that Penaloza had stabbed his mother, who was taking sanctuary in a room with a non-injured relative. Officers encountered Penaloza armed with a knife upon their arrival at the house. Despite repeated commands from the officers to disarm, Penaloza moved towards the officers, prompting the officers to fire at him.
The Long Beach Fire Department responders moved the injured mother and Penaloza to a hospital. The mother was found to have non-life-threatening injuries, while Penaloza eventually succumbed to his injuries. The investigators found Penaloza had stab wounds on his upper body inflicted before officers arrived. The officers involved were wearing body cameras, with footage under review by the LBPD, intending to release it to the public soon.
The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office is mandated to conduct an autonomous investigation for every officer-involved shooting causing injury or death. In addition, the California Department of Justice has been duly informed. These investigations intend to reconstruct the events and ensure a transparent, impartial appraisal of the situation.
Cooperation from the public is critical for understanding the sequence of events. Homicide Detectives Sean Magee and J.C. Reyes have called on individuals with any applicable information to reach them at (562) 570-7244. Tips can also be submitted anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through text message, or online as per the instructions in the LBPD's press release.
