Long Beach police shoot, kill suspect in home invasion

Long Beach police shot and killed a man Saturday afternoon after he broke into his neighbors’ home in the 300 block of Cherry Avenue, killed the residents’ dog, and tried to set the house on fire, according to police.

Long Beach Police Sgt. Brad Johnson said the home invader, whose name was not released, forced his way through the back door of his neighbors’ house around 3:55 p.m., prompting the residents to flee and call police.

Police shot the man dead at the scene, and a knife was found nearby, Johnson said. He said the suspect killed the residents’ dog, but said it was not clear what means he used.

Johnson declined to comment on how many officers opened fire, or how many shots were fired.

Johnson said it is not clear why the home invader, who had known the residents for 10 years, broke into the house. “There was no history of any kind of disputes or anything,” Johnson said.

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