Police Arrest Suspect in Long Beach For Allegedly Stabbing Officer

Federal air marshals assisted in taking the knife-wielding suspect into custody after the assault.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a police officer's badge or handcuffs, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the dangers faced by law enforcement.A violent assault on a police officer in Long Beach exposes the dangers faced by law enforcement in protecting their community.Long Beach Today

A 44-year-old man was arrested in Long Beach on Friday after allegedly stabbing a police officer multiple times. The suspect, Arturo Fernandez, was taken into custody with the help of federal air marshals who witnessed the assault. The injured officer was treated at a hospital and has since been released.

Why it matters

Attacks on law enforcement officers are a serious concern, as they put public safety at risk and undermine the ability of police to protect the community. This incident highlights the dangers officers face and the importance of coordinated response from multiple agencies to apprehend violent suspects.

The details

According to the Long Beach Police Department, officers responded to a call on Friday afternoon about a possibly armed suspect in the downtown area. When they arrived, they attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect produced a knife and stabbed an LBPD officer multiple times. Four federal air marshals who were nearby rushed to assist the officers and helped take the suspect, Arturo Fernandez, into custody. Fernandez was arrested and booked for attempted murder, with bail set at $1 million.

  • The incident occurred at 2:42 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • Fernandez was arrested at the scene.

The players

Arturo Fernandez

A 44-year-old resident of Torrance who was arrested and booked for attempted murder.

LBPD Officer

The police officer who was stabbed multiple times and taken to the hospital, but has since been released.

LBPD Chief of Police Wally Hebeish

The police chief who commended the officers and federal air marshals for their actions in apprehending the suspect.

Federal Air Marshals

Four uniformed Department of Homeland Security federal air marshals who witnessed the assault and assisted the LBPD officers in taking the suspect into custody.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The violent actions of this individual serve as a stark reminder of not just the dangers faced by our police officers, but also their continued dedication to protecting our community each day.”

— LBPD Chief of Police Wally Hebeish

“This officer put himself in harm's way in the defense of others and sustained serious injuries in doing so. I am very grateful that he is going to recover.”

— LBPD Chief of Police Wally Hebeish

“I would also like to commend the additional LBPD officers who were on scene and the federal air marshals who helped take this dangerous suspect into custody without further incident.”

— LBPD Chief of Police Wally Hebeish

What’s next

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office next week for potential prosecution.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the risks police officers face in the line of duty and the importance of coordinated response from law enforcement agencies to apprehend violent suspects and protect public safety. It also highlights the bravery and dedication of the officers involved, who put themselves in harm's way to defend the community.