Home-invasion suspect killed by police ID’d as 62-year-old neighbor

A man who authorities say broke into a Long Beach home, killed the resident’s dog and then tried to set the house on fire has been identified as a 62-year-old neighbor.

Richard Joseph Barrett was shot dead by officers in the walkway of his neighbor’s home in the 300 block of Cherry Avenue on Saturday afternoon after police say he tried to attack them with a knife and crowbar.

Barrett had forced his way into his neighbor’s home just before 4 p.m. armed with the two weapons, police said. He was shot dead after ignoring officer commands and tried to attack, authorities said. Barrett was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities are still investigating what the motive for the attack may have been. Barrett had been neighbors with the homeowner for 10 years and there was no history of disputes between the two, said police Sgt. Brad Johnson.

Barrett’s autopsy is pending, a Los Angeles County coroner official said.

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