Friends, family of Lionel Gibson Jr., shot by Long Beach police, to march Saturday

Friends and Family of Lionel Gibson Jr., who was fatally shot by police May 7, will march to the Long Beach Police Department headquarters on Saturday to demand information in the shooting and ask that policies be put into place to address use of force.

Gibson, 21, was shot in Central Long Beach after someone reported he was holding a sub-machine gun, which tued out to be an Airsoft rifle missing any markings, police said at the time of the shooting. Police also released a photo showing the rifle, which was missing an orange tip that would indicate it was not a real gun.

The family and community “have major conces over Gibson’s death,” a statement said Friday from a group called The S.T.O.P Coalition, described as a group led by families who have had loved ones killed by law enforcement.

The statement also said the family is preparing to file a wrongful death claim against the city.

The march will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at 198 E. 21st Street, leading to the police department.

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