Long Beach Metro Blue Line station reopens after homicide

A man is in custody as an investigation continues into the fatal stabbing of a man at a Metro Blue Line station in Long Beach’s Wrigley District early Friday moing.

The assailant was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated for self-inflicted knife wounds, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department authorities said. He is currently listed in critical condition.

The victim, identified only as a black man in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:39 a.m., said Ed Winter, assistant chief at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Stabbing, arrest

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Transit Policing Division deputies were patrolling the Wardlow Blue Line station platform around 2:14 a.m. when they came across two men fighting, Sheriff’s authorities said. One of the men was laying injured on the ground. When the other man realized deputies were there he fled toward West Wardlow Road.

Sheriff’s deputies requested help from Long Beach police who found the suspect about a half mile from the scene. The suspect was uncooperative and police used several less lethal weapons to take him into custody.

A motive for the stabbing was still being determined as of 10:15 a.m., Sheriff’s said.

Transit service

The Wardlow Station was closed for several hours while Sheriff’s homicide detectives investigated, according to LA Metro, which operates the Blue Line.

The station reopened and normal service resumed as of 3:15 p.m., according to a tweet by Metro’s official account.

Anyone with information about the stabbing was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. All tips can be made anonymously.

City News Service contributed to this report

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