A man accused of assaulting five people in a bizarre, violent rampage in Long Beach was shot and wounded by police Tuesday, officials said.
The incident was reported just before noon in the 4600 block of East 2nd Street near Livingston Park in an upscale community of the city, according to Long Beach Police.
The suspect, 31-year-old Mario Najara, allegedly punched a man and a woman in the 200 block of Park Avenue. The man walked into the park where he struck a father holding his 2-year-old child who fell during the attack, Cmdr. Michael Pennino explained during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Najara then allegedly stabbed a man with a screwdriver in front of a local business.
“I was just outside on my deck and I was getting my dogs ready for a walk and I just heard a lot of screaming,” said Rick Blankenship, a witness. “Kids screaming, adults screaming. Initially, you’d hear screaming coming from the park, but this was pretty intense.”
Authorities had previously said all the victims had been stabbed during the ordeal.
Responding officers told Najara to drop the screwdriver, but he refused to comply, Pennino said.
He then walked into a yard using a gate, allegedly tried to get into a home while still armed, and was shot once in the upper torso by police.
Najara was taken to a hospital with injuries that were described as non-life threatening and was undergoing surgery Tuesday afternoon.
Four victims were treated at the scene while one was transported to a trauma center with injuries that were also described as not life-threatening, Long Beach fire officials said. The child who fell sustained minor injuries.
“I saw him walk out of the park,” said Blankenship. “Everyone was keeping their distance and keeping an eye on him. I saw him walking south to 2nd Street. I heard a couple of gunshots soon after that.”
Pennino said the attacks were unprovoked and “out of nowhere.” Authorities said the motive behind the rampage remains unknown. The weapon was found at the scene.
Neighbors in the area remain shaken, with some concerned about the growing crime in the community.
“My kid, when she was younger, played in this park,” said Brad Goshert, a local resident. “It’s a safe area, it’s a safe park but you know, stuff is happening everywhere.”
Aerial video from Sky5 showed police scouring a three-block radius. Detectives were also combing the park for additional evidence.
Najara, who is also homeless, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery. He is being held on $1 million bail.