Homeless Man Shot By Police After Stabbing Spree in Long Beach

Location: Long Beach, California

In a shocking incident, a homeless man went on a stabbing spree in Long Beach, California, leaving several victims injured. The incident occurred at the intersection of Livingston Drive and Park Avenue, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement.

At approximately 11:56 a.m., multiple calls flooded the Police Dispatch, reporting a male suspect armed with a knife actively assaulting and stabbing individuals. The suspect was identified as 31-year-old Mario Najara, who was experiencing homelessness and was armed with a screwdriver.

Officers rushed to the scene within five minutes of receiving the initial distress calls. They attempted to de-escalate the situation and engage with Najara, urging him to drop the weapon. However, Najara ignored their pleas and began to walk away from the officers.

Desperate to prevent further harm, the officers continued their efforts to communicate with Najara, but he disregarded their commands and tried to enter a residential property. It was at this point that the officers were left with no choice but to open fire on Najara, resulting in a gunshot wound to his upper body.

Immediately following the shooting, officers provided medical assistance to Najara until the arrival of the Long Beach Fire Department, who promptly transported him to a nearby hospital. Thankfully, his condition was deemed stable.

Preliminary investigations into the incident revealed that prior to the arrival of the officers, Najara was involved in three separate attacks. The first assault occurred in the vicinity of Park Avenue and Livingston Drive, where Najara physically assaulted a female adult and a male adult, causing lacerations. Both victims received on-site treatment from the Long Beach Fire Department.

Najara proceeded into Livingston Park, where he approached a male adult victim holding a child. In a horrifying act of violence, he assaulted the adult, causing both the adult and child to fall to the ground. While the victim was down, Najara repeatedly stabbed him in the lower body. Again, the Long Beach Fire Department provided immediate medical attention to the injured individuals.

Continuing his rampage, Najara made his way towards 2nd Street, where he encountered another male adult victim whom he stabbed in the upper body. The injured victim was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment, fortunately sustaining a non-life-threatening injury.

During the investigation, it was determined that Najara had been armed with a screwdriver, which was recovered at the scene of the officer-involved shooting. As a result of his violent actions, Najara now faces multiple charges, including two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault likely to produce great bodily injury, one count of attempted murder, robbery, and resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer. His bail has been set at $1,000,000.

Meanwhile, the victims of the stabbing spree, though traumatized, have all sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The Long Beach community is grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and the diligent efforts of the first responders who ensured the safety and well-being of the victims.