Violence Strikes Long Beach: Four Stabbings in Just Nine Hours
Four stabbings were reported in Long Beach, California, over the weekend in a nine-hour period, according to police.
Long Beach Police said the department has bolstered its presence in the aftermath of the stabbings that happened Saturday night and early Sunday morning, according to City News Service.
“The LBPD will have additional police presence today, including patrol officers and Neighborhood Safety Bike Team officers, to engage with residents and businesses,” the Long Beach Police Department stated.
Tensions Escalate on Pacific Coast Highway
The first incident shook the evening at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Saturday in the 2000 block of East Pacific Coast Highway. An argument ignited into a physical confrontation, resulting in a man suffering multiple stab wounds to his upper body. The attackers were nowhere to be found by the time authorities arrived.
While the victim was hospitalized, his condition was thankfully stable, yet the weight of violence hung in the air, lingering like a bad aftertaste.
Turning Point in Belmont Shore
The second stabbing rattled Belmont Shore around 2 a.m. Sunday. Officers rushed to the 5100 block of Second Street after two men were embroiled in a heated dispute. This altercation escalated rapidly when one man stabbed the other in the upper body, leading to a critical hospitalization. Just like before, the assailant vanished as quickly as the daylight, leaving behind chaos and unanswered questions.
A Chain of Woe Unfolds
Shortly thereafter, at around 2:20 a.m., law enforcement was alerted to a local hospital where two more victims arrived with stab wounds. The investigation revealed that the injuries stemmed from a physical clash in the 200 block of Pine Avenue. Here, an altercation erupted among three women, one of whom wielded a knife. Miraculously, both victims were reported stable, but the night continued to spiral.
Unexpected Violence Strikes Again
In a cruel twist of fate, police received a report of another stabbing just after 3 a.m., again at the same location as the previous attack on Second Street. The similarities were eerie, but authorities assured the community that these two events appeared unrelated. A woman found herself embroiled in yet another dispute, this time with a group of women. After a punch was thrown, one woman pulled a knife, resulting in a stab wound to the victim’s upper body. In this case, the victim chose to transport herself to the hospital, where she was later listed in stable condition.
The Community Reacts
With the streets of Long Beach feeling the impact of these violent events, residents found themselves in a state of unease. The local businesses, such as The Attic and The Crooked Duck, known for their welcoming atmosphere, faced a sobering reality. As people searched for answers, police continued their investigation, trying to piece together the motives and identity of the suspects involved.
In the aftermath, anyone with information regarding these incidents is urged to reach out to the Long Beach Police Department. The hope remains that, with collaboration, the community can restore its sense of safety and belonging, armed with resilience and solidarity.
