April 23, 2026: Man Charged With Stabbing Long Beach Police Officer Multiple Times

The police officer was stabbed in the head and torso with a folding knife while responding to a call

LONG BEACH, Calif. - A 44-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after he stabbed a Long Beach Police officer multiple times while the officer and his partner were responding to a call on April 17.

"Officers respond to calls for service daily expecting to help residents in need. Their goal is straightforward: to protect and serve. In carrying out their duties, they don't expect to become victims themselves," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "This incident underscores the risks law enforcement officers face every single day in service to our communities. The offender's actions were violent and deliberate, and our Crimes Against Peace Officers Division will ensure that this defendant answers for the harm and violence his actions caused."

Speaking to the impact on the department and the community, Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish said, "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. 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. We appreciate the partnership of the District Attorney's Office in ensuring those who victimize our community and viciously attack our police officers are held accountable."

Arturo Scott Fernandez (dob 8/28/81) of Torrance was charged on April 21 in case 26LBCF00606 with one felony count of attempted murder of a peace officer, two felony counts of assault upon a peace officer and two felony counts of resisting an executive officer. It is further alleged that Fernandez committed the crime willfully, deliberately and with premeditation. It is also alleged that he personally inflicted great bodily injury and used a deadly and dangerous weapon: a knife.

Fernandez's arraignment is scheduled on May 5 in Department S01 of the Long Beach Courthouse. Per the People's request, the Court set his bail at $2.295 million. Fernandez remains in custody.

On April 17, at approximately 2:20 p.m., Long Beach police officers responded to a call at the Billie Jean King Public Library near Pacific Avenue and First Street in Long Beach. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers made contact with Fernandez, who allegedly refused to comply with their demands.

As officers attempted to physically detain him, Fernandez allegedly grabbed one of the officers and began stabbing him in the head and torso with a folding knife. Despite being stabbed, he and his fellow officers continued their physical altercation while trying to detain Fernandez.

Two federal air marshals with the Department of Homeland Security who were nearby witnessed the incident and quickly intervened. Fernandez allegedly continued to fight the officers and refused to comply with orders. Fernandez was eventually taken into custody and arrested. The folding knife was allegedly found in Fernandez's possession. The incident was captured on surveillance footage and the officers' body-worn cameras.

The officer who was stabbed sustained multiple non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. He has since been released.

If convicted as charged, Fernandez faces 100 years to life in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney Geoffrey Lewin of the Crimes Against Peace Officers Division and remains under investigation by the Long Beach Police Department.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.