The scene from 3rd and Atlantic where firefighters responding to a report of an explosion in a high-rise apartment in downtown Long Beach shortly before 4 a.m. were met with gunfire, with two getting struck on June 25, 2018. (Photo by Megan Barnes) One firefighter was killed and another wounded early Monday after they were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise, authorities said.
Long Beach Fire Chief Mike Duree identified the fallen firefighter as Capt. Dave Rosa, 45. He was a captain for the past 6½ years and was with the Fire Department for 17.
Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, was killed after being struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at Covenant Manor in Downtown Long Beach. (Photo courtesy of Long Beach Fire Department) "He leaves behind a wife and two children," DuRee said at a press conference outside St. Mary Medical Center, where the victims were transported.
A 10-year firefighter was in stable condition and expected to recover. Officials did not release his name but said he is 35 years old.
A civilian was undergoing surgery in critical condition. Police did not know if he was a resident of the apartment building.
"You go to these scenes and you never know what's on the other side of those doors," the fire chief said. "These brave firefighters went through those doors and unfortunately, they were met with gunfire."
Police recovered a weapon from the scene, and a Sheriff's Department bomb squad was en route to examine two devices that were "deemed to be suspicious," Police Chief Robert Luna said.
About 3:49 a.m., firefighters received the initial report, and occupants were sheltering in place, said Jake Heflin, a spokesman for the Long Beach Fire Department.
The scene from 3rd and Atlantic where firefighters responding to a report of an explosion in a high-rise apartment in downtown Long Beach shortly before 4 a.m. were met with gunfire, with two getting struck on June 25, 2018. (Photo by Megan Barnes) Arriving firefighters could smell gas.
"They did notice some windows were blown out and sprinklers were on," he said.
Within 10 minutes, firefighters had knocked down the fire. At 4:08 a.m., shots were fired, and two firefighters were hit with gunfire, Heflin said.
A person of interest was being interviewed, authorities said.
Police and firefighters surrounded apartment building, the 11-story Covenant Manor that houses low-income senior citizens, in the 600 block of East Fourth Street near Atlantic Avenue.
By late morning, Covenant Manor residents had been bused to a nearby Covenant Presbyterian Church, where they interviewed by police. Many were still in heir pajamas.
Afterward, one woman, visiting her son, said she heard a loud boom on the second floor.
"I was so nervous," said the woman, who would only give her name as Ms. Harris. "I slipped on my sweatpants and ran downstairs."
She said she didn't even know about the shooting.
"It looked like it blew a window clean out of the building."
Said the police chief: "We're brothers and sisters so this is hitting us extremely hard. We're here in a support role and our prayers, love and support will go out not only to our brothers and sisters at the Fire Department, but the family of Dave."
Check back for updates. This is a developing story.
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