A California lawyer allegedly let go from a prominent law firm opened fire on an office party on Friday, killing one person and injuring another before he killed himself, according to police.
The Press Telegram reports that the gunman, who hasn’t yet been identified, drove to the law firm building at 300 E. San Antonio Ave. in Long Beach, where he shot and killed senior managing partner, Major A. Langer, 75, and injured his partner, Ronald Beck, the daily operations manager.
Video of police briefing on the shooting at a Long Beach law office. Shooter and one victim dead. Another victim in serious condition at the hospital. Shooter appears to have killer himself. pic.twitter.com/aGKovJhp3X
— Jeremiah Dobruck (@jeremiahdobruck) December 30, 2017
Police arrived to the building at around 2:25 p.m., but the shooter and Langer were already dead. After shooting Langer, the gunman shot at Beck, injuring him, before turning the gun on himself. Long Beach Police Department Sgt. Brad Johnson said that both the shooter and Langer died inside the law office. Beck was rushed to the hospital, but according to the Los Angeles Times, he’s in stable condition and expected to survive.
HUGE police and fire response at San Antonio and Long Beach Boulevard for reports of a shooting at a law office in Long Beach. pic.twitter.com/BbUacs8c1h
— Jeremiah Dobruck (@jeremiahdobruck) December 29, 2017
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia indicated that when police arrived, they only knew there was a call about an active shooter, but didn’t know yet whether the shooter was dead or alive. In turn, a large police presence showed up to the building, where they saw numerous people running and screaming.
Massive police presence in Bixby Knolls in Long Beach responding to alleged workplace shooting. pic.twitter.com/2z2xhTU6r7
— Seema Mehta (@LATSeema) December 29, 2017
Nearby resident Joy Wilson said she heard sirens from her home and noticed 24 or so people running from the building down San Antonio Drive, “looking like they were trying to get away.”
“They were definitely panicking. Something bad was happening. They were moving.”
“When you see helicopters over your home, and they’re police helicopters, that’s a bad sign,” Kelly Bray, 61, added, who lives in a nearby complex.
The shooting reportedly happened during an office party, where people were spinning wheels to win prizes.
Langer had been practicing law for 51 years and had tried more than 70 criminal and civil cases. He was a prominent, well-known attorney who once helped city workers sucessfully sue California Water Service Co. and the city for more $17.6 million in damages. He had been married for 40 years and enjoyed harvesting grapes to make wine.
The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Major Langer/Handout]
