4 Held in Officer’s Death; Police Shoot One Suspect

Four suspects, one of whom was shot by police, were arrested in Compton on Tuesday in connection with the slaying of Long Beach policeman Daryle Black.

The man who was shot by Long Beach police was not identified and his wound was not believed to be life-threatening, said Nancy Tabing, police spokeswoman.

At 6:40 p.m., officers were “continuing the investigation” into the Black slaying when “the shooting occurred,” Tabing said. The man was taken to a local hospital, and no other details of the shooting were released.

A 12-year-old boy was hit by a ricochet, but authorities believe the wound is minor, Tabing said.

Police then searched for two other suspects, whom they arrested late Tuesday night.

Earlier in the day, the first suspect, whose name and age were being withheld by police, was taken into custody in the 1700 block of North Spring Avenue in Compton. Also found at the house were two other people, a man and a woman, whom police described as possible witnesses. All have been detained for questioning.

Officer David Marander, a Police Department spokesman, said officers and Long Beach SWAT team members set up a perimeter around the house a few hours before dawn and telephoned the residence. The suspect peacefully surrendered moments later, he said.

“We’re not sure what this individual’s role is yet. He may, in fact, be innocent,” said Long Beach Police Cmdr. Timothy Jackman shortly after the arrest.

Black, 33, of the city’s anti-gang unit, died early Sunday morning after his unmarked car was struck by a hail of bullets in the 1900 block of Lime Avenue in north Long Beach. He and his partner, Rick Delfin, were on routine patrol.

Delfin, 41, was wounded in the head and leg. He remained in good condition Tuesday.

Also wounded was a 45-year-old woman, who is seven months pregnant. Bullets pierced the walls of her Lime Avenue home, striking her several times. She was reported in stable condition.

“We are very, very happy about the arrest,” said Connell Black of Denver, the slain officer’s brother.

“We know the department is doing everything it can to bring this tragedy to closure.”

Memorial services are scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Burial services are set for 10 a.m. Saturday in Grand Rapids, Mich., where Black was born.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Long Beach Youth Activities and DARE Inc., an anti-drug program that will administer the Daryle Black Memorial Fund. Checks should be sent to the Long Beach Police Department, Youth Services Division, 1957 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806.

Meanwhile, authorities have proposed a $20,000 reward for tips leading to the conviction of the person or persons who attacked Black and Delfin. The City Council must approve the award before it can go into effect. Anyone with information about the shooting can call a special 24-hour hotline at (877) 636-3300.

Miles Corwin contributed to this story.