Long Beach police released video Saturday of the fatal shooting of a man by officers following a roughly two-and-a-half-hour standoff in front of a Long Beach church building.
On Nov. 19, officers responded to the 5200 block of Atlantic Avenue at 3:15 p.m. regarding a report of a man with a gun. Police dispatch received a text to 911 reporting the armed man, and the reporting party was later determined to be the man with a gun, 38-year-old Brandon Boyd, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
When they arrived, officers found a man on the church steps who matched the description of the subject described in the initial report, and he told police that he had sent the text, police said.
Officers allegedly saw that Boyd appeared to be hiding an object and he refused to say whether he had a gun. They attempted to deescalate the situation and called in additional resources, including a hostage negotiator and a Mental Evaluation Team, but the suspect remained uncooperative, according to police. A SWAT team was then dispatched to the scene.
According to police, after more than two and half hours of de-escalation attempts, during which Boyd made “suicidal comments,” the suspect drew a firearm and a shootout occurred between the suspect and the four officers.
Officers immediately rendered aid to the suspect, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, police said. Paramedics from Long Beach Fire Department arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police allegedly recovered a firearm at the scene. One officer was struck in an arm and taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released.
In the police video, Boyd is heard making several suicidal comments from the church steps as officers attempt to de-escalate the situation. Day turned to night, and with Boyd still sitting on the steps refusing commands from police, a gun on the ground behind his back, SWAT personnel devised a plan to “separate Boyd from the firearm.”
They deployed a flash-bang device and less-lethal foam projectiles. It is at that point that Boyd appears to grab the gun and point it at officers, triggering the fatal fusillade of bullets fired by police. A camera from inside the church also shows the gun positioned directly behind Boyd, and shows him pick it up and point it at police and fire.
“I acknowledge the deep pain, grief, and strong emotions that the events on the night of November 19th has caused many in our community, members of the Boyd family, our first responders. As we confront this moment, it is essential that we remain committed to supporting transparency, accountability, and the process of justice,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement released Saturday.
“I have been in constant communication with Chief Hebeish and have advocated for transparency and the timely release of critical documents in order to ensure clarity and maintain public trust. I am also in communication with Francine Kerridge, Director of the Office of Police Oversight, to ensure we support accountability through the independent review process.
“While we understand the urgency felt by some, we also recognize the importance of following the established legal processes and guidelines to ensure a fair and accurate review takes place and public trust in our systems is preserved.
“Multiple processes are in place for critical incidents of this nature to ensure a thorough and objective review takes place. A multi-layer investigation takes place by the Long Beach Police Department, along with an independent review by the LA County District Attorney’s office as is the case with all officer involved shootings. In addition, a third layer of review is conducted through the 2020 voter-approved recently appointed Police Oversight Commission and Office of Police Oversight. Importantly, this process includes input from our residents, giving the community a voice and demonstrating the citywide commitment to transparency and accountability.
“We will continue to prioritize these values throughout this difficult time,” Richardson said.