Long Beach man suspected of sexual assault killed by police

The man who was shot and killed Sunday by Long Beach police was suspected of sexually assaulting a family member, police said Sunday.

Police said officers were flagged down about 5 a.m. by a woman in the 2100 block of Pine Avenue, regarding the sexual assault of a female minor by a suspect who is a family member. He was identified only as a 41-year-old male Long Beach resident.

After interviewing the alleged victim, officers decided a crime had been committed and went to the suspect’s residence, said Long Beach Sgt. Dina Zapalski. The suspect allegedly produced a handgun and officers fired. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by Long Beach Fire Department paramedics.

A handgun was found at the scene. No officers were injured, Zapalski said.

The girl was taken to a hospital and received treatment. No other information on her condition was available.

Long Beach homicide detectives and the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office are investigating the shooting.

-- Carla Rivera