Downey police answering a call for a neighbor dispute over fireworks shot a man to death on Saturday, June 29, after he pointed a replica rifle at them, the Police Department said.
Witnesses said the man, who reportedly has mental health issues, was lighting fireworks in the backyard and got into an argument with a neighbor. Officers were then dispatched at about 6:15 p.m. to a call of a disturbance in the 7100 block of Stewart and Gray Road.
Officers encountered a man they identified as 29-year-old Alberto Arenas.
“Officers made several attempts to gain control and de-escalate the situation; however, Arenas pointed what appeared to be a rifle at the officers,” police said in a Facebook post. “An officer-involved shooting occurred and the suspect was struck by gunfire.”
Arenas was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Police say the firearm was actually an airsoft-style rifle that fires non-metallic pellets and is often used in sports, paintball, target practice and as a movie prop.
California law requires such firearms to have orange tips, and it is illegal to alter those. The rifle seized by Downey police does not appear to have an orange tip.
No officers were reported injured.
Downey police said the state Department of Justice is handling the investigation. The state Attorney General’s Office pursues investigations of fatal shootings of unarmed civilians.
City News Service contributed to this story.
