The tranquil streets of Long Beach were shattered yesterday afternoon when officers responded to a domestic dispute that escalated into a deadly showdown. Around 2:38 p.m., the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) arrived at the 3300 block of Adriatic Avenue to confront a disturbance that soon turned into an alarming scene with smoke and fire billowing from a residence, as reported by LBPD's X account.
⚠️#LBAlert The area of Santa Fe Avenue and 34th Street is currently closed to traffic due to an ongoing SWAT investigation involving a barricaded suspect. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/KieqtDgjWc
— Long Beach PD (CA) (@LBPD) December 29, 2023
As firefighters quickly subdued the flames, it became increasingly clear that the suspect might have barricaded themselves inside, with the police outlining a perimeter and the SWAT team rolling in. Nearby residences were evacuated or ordered to shelter in place. "SWAT negotiators are attempting to make contact with the suspect," the LBPD posted on X, signaling an intense standoff.
At 12:15 a.m., updated information flowed in revealing a tragic end; LBPD discovered the male adult suspect dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to their follow-up post. Officers also found a deceased 5-year-old child, propelling the investigation into the territory of a murder-suicide.
While homicide detectives combed the scene, the LBPD assured, "There is no current threat to public safety." The evacuation orders were lifted, allowing residents a return to homes wrapped in a shroud of sorrow. Despite the lifting of shelter in place, Santa Fe Avenue and 34th Street remained a nexus of law enforcement activity, with road closures still in effect and the LBPD urging the public to steer clear.
