Police Shoot, Kill Man in Long Beach Stabbing Attack

A man suspected of stabbing six people in Long Beach on Friday night was shot and killed by police, officials say.

Officers responding to an 8:17 p.m. report of a stabbing in the 3200 block of Artesia Boulevard, near Obispo Avenue, learned that several people had been wounded in an attack, Long Beach police spokeswoman Megan Zabel said.

Police encountered the alleged attacker and opened fire, Zabel said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No details were released on what led officers to shoot the man.

Five of the six people wounded in the attack were taken to trauma hospitals with minor to critical injuries. One person was treated at the scene with superficial injuries.

Police said the stabbings began at an apartment complex on the North side of the 3200 block of E. Artesia Avenue. The suspect stabbed two men and one woman. The suspect then went across the street and entered a convalescent home where he stabbed three more victims, all women.

Witnesses at the scene flagged down officers and directed them to where the suspect may have been located. 

Family members of the suspected attacker arrived to the scene after learning he'd been killed. They identified him as Derrick Leake, 28, of Long Beach.

Leake's sister, Shawntris Leake, said he had been released from jail less than two weeks ago and they had spent time together earlier in the day. She also said one of the victims may have been suspect's wife.

"I understand that police have to do their jobs, because I work in mental health. But it doesn't take five bullets to get one person down," she said. "They could have used rubber (bullets), anything. Taze him."

Homicide detectives were called to the scene to investigate.

Artesia Boulevard was expected to remain closed around Obispo Avenue as police continued their investigation on Saturday morning.

NBC4's Pablo Kay and Corey Arvin contributed to this report. Refresh this page for updates on this developing story.