On May 7, 2016, 21-year-old Lionel Gibson was shot and killed by Long Beach police officers in an officer-involved shooting near 21st Street and Locust Avenue. The incident began when a witness called 9-1-1, reporting that Gibson was seen holding what appeared to be an Uzi-style weapon while talking with others on the sidewalk. When officers arrived, they observed what they believed to be a firearm visible in Gibson's waistband and issued multiple verbal commands for him to comply.
According to the police, Gibson did not respond to their commands and made a move toward the object in his waistband, prompting officers to open fire. Gibson was later pronounced dead at the scene. It was subsequently revealed that the weapon was a CO2-powered airsoft gun, not a real firearm, intensifying the controversy surrounding the incident. Gibson's family has strongly disputed the police's account, stating that there was little to no opportunity for Gibson to surrender before shots were fired.
The case garnered attention within the community, leading to protests and calls for justice. In 2019, after three years of legal proceedings, the City of Long Beach settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Gibson's family for $2 million. The incident continues to resonate within discussions of police use of force and systemic issues within law enforcement.
