A 49-year-old man who climbed a fence at a Long Beach elementary school with a sledgehammer and later died was pulled off the fence by two men who then punched and kicked him as they tried to detain and disarm the suspect, police said on Thursday.
According to the police, the Medical Examiner’s Office classified the man’s death as a homicide, meaning that it was caused by another person. The two men who punched and detained the suspect were interviewed but not arrested, pending further investigation.
Officers responded to a call about a home invasion in the 6700 block of Orizaba Avenue on Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. The residents directed them to McKinley Elementary School nearby, where the suspect had allegedly climbed a fence with a sledgehammer. The suspect, identified as John Thompson, was already detained by a bystander when the officers arrived.
The officers handcuffed the suspect and noticed that he was unresponsive. They provided medical aid while waiting for paramedics, who confirmed that the man was dead at the scene.
During their preliminary investigation, the officers discovered that the man with the sledgehammer was the one who made the initial call about the home invasion, which turned out to be unfounded. They also learned that he had climbed a fence and entered the school parking lot with the sledgehammer. While attempting to climb a second fence to enter the school grounds, he was pulled down by a bystander. Prior to the officers’ arrival, two adults had punched and kicked the man in an attempt to disarm and detain him. At some point, he became unresponsive.
Police confirmed that there is video footage of the confrontation.
Because the man died while handcuffed, his death is currently being investigated as an in-custody death, according to the police. A small sledgehammer was found at the scene.
Investigators are also looking into a report from September 13 by a girl at the same school who claimed to have seen a man with a gun. LPBD detectives have increased police patrol around McKinley Elementary School, including the LBPD Neighborhood Safety Bike Team, to ensure community safety.
Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the detention of the suspect is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Jesus Espinoza or Alfredo Chairez at 562-570-7244. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
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