Barry Prak, 27

Long Beach, California
June 28, 2016

Agencies: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department California LASD | Long Beach Police Department California

Cause of death: Not Yet Known


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

27 year old Barry Prak was wanted on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon when he and a police dog were both killed during a police shooting in the Zaferia neighborhood on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, Long Beach police officials said.

Police said the shooting happened around 11:15 a.m., in an alley off Orizaba Avenue north of 15th Street after Prak allegedly charged at officers while holding a knife. The police dog, named Credo, was also struck by gunfire from an officer’s weapon.

Police say Prak was wanted in connection with a December 2014 shooting in Long Beach with multiple victims.

Around 9 a.m.,  members of a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force — that Long Beach police participate in — spotted Prak near 16th Street and Temple Avenue, police said. When task force members tried to contact the suspect, he fled to an acquaintance’s apartment in the 2800 block of East 15th Street, leading authorities on a foot pursuit.

Long Beach police set up a containment perimeter in the area bounded by Temple and Orizaba avenues, and 14th and 16th streets.

Police activated their SWAT team because Prak was considered armed and dangerous, and nearby residences were evacuated as a precaution, police said.

SWAT team members ordered Prak to exit the residence, police said. He came outside but did not comply with officers’ commands.

Prak charged “aggressively” toward officers who used a 40mm rubber baton round and police dog Credo to try and subdue him, police said.

“The suspect continued his aggressive charge toward officers while canine Credo continued to try and stop the suspect from advancing towards officers,” police said. “As Credo fought with the suspect, the suspect produced a knife while continuing to advance towards officers. One of the officers discharged his weapon to protect himself and the other officers from the suspect. Both the suspect and Credo were struck by gunfire.”

Long Beach Fire Department personnel transported Prak to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. Credo was transported by his handler, Officer Mike Parcells, to Signal Hill Pet Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Legal Action

Los Angeles County prosecutors decided police were justified in the deadly shooting Prak.

Community and Family Efforts

July 2016 Protest