Long Beach officer shoots and wounds man armed with BB gun at subway station in new video, police say

LONG BEACH, California (CNS) — Long Beach police released body camera video Monday as part of its investigation into an officer who shot and wounded a 35-year-old man who was allegedly armed with a BB gun at a subway station.

Officers responded to the light rail platform at West Pacific Avenue and Fifth Street on Aug. 7 around 9:10 p.m. in reference to a man brandishing a firearm, authorities said.

Officers found Tyrell Harris, who was homeless, at the scene, police said. According to police, he quickly left the platform and started running.

The video shows officers yelling at Harris to stop and “get on the ground.” Moments later, a shot rings out and the suspect is seen on the ground.

Police said Harris pulled a gun from his waistband, prompting police to shoot. Harris was hit in the upper body and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said. He was taken to a hospital, later released and then taken into custody.

Harris was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction and resisting arrest, exhibiting an imitation firearm and an unrelated offense at the Long Beach City Jail, where he was held without bail.

“Officers recovered a replica firearm that was later discovered to be an operable BB gun with a CO2 cartridge and BBs. … Detectives discovered Harris pointed his weapon at multiple civilians on the platform and threatened to shoot them” , the police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to contact LBPD homicide detectives Sean Magee or Juan Carlos Reyes at (560) 570-7244. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.