Tag Archives: holding-the-gun

L.A. NOW Southern California — this just in – Los Angeles Times Man killed by Long Beach police was holding water nozzle, not gun December 13, 2010 | 3:07 pm The 35-year-old Long Beach man killed in an officer-involved shooting Sunday was holding a water spigot, not a gun, Long Beach Police officials said Monday. Two Long Beach police officers responded to a 911 call at 4:40 p.m. Sunday from a neighbor reporting an intoxicated man holding a “six shooter” that looked like an antique gun in the 5300 block of East Ocean Avenue. “The officers had a position of cover and were observing the suspect while other officers were en route,” said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a spokeswoman for the Long Beach Police Department. Zapalski said Douglas Zerby was in a seated position when he extended his arms while holding the gun-like object and pointed it at an officer. The investigation revealed that Zerby was actually holding a black pistol-grip water nozzle with a metal tip, she said. He was shot in the torso with a shotgun and handgun, then handcuffed, Zapalski said. He died at the scene. Zerby's older sister, Eden Marie Biele, said she was “mortified” upon hearing of her brother's death. “Our brother was killed for no reason,” she said. “We're outraged. You can't get drunk in the city of Long Beach and not get shot? You're trying to do the responsible thing and not drive and you get shot? Is that standard protocol? They didn't wait for backup, they just shot him.” Zerby had been waiting on the stoop for his friend to come home. He often frequented the building after he had been drinking and was known among the neighbors, his sister said. It was a new neighbor who was not familiar with her brother who made the 911 call, she said. The family will be holding a vigil at the scene of the shooting at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Photo: The water nozzle Douglas Zerby was carrying when he was fatally shot by Long Beach police officers. Credit: Long Beach Police Department added by: EthicalVegan