LONG BEACH, Calif._A workplace shooting in a quiet neighborhood of Long Beach on Friday left at least two people dead, including the shooter, officials said.
Long Beach police said they responded to the Bixby Knolls neighborhood amid reports of an active shooter at large. They said they found multiple casualties but it was no longer considered an active shooting scene.
Authorities said the shooter is "believed to be deceased at the scene."
Long Beach City Councilman Al Austin, who was briefed by police, said the shooter _ a former employee at one of the businesses _ killed one person and then himself. Austin represents the Bixby Knolls area.
The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. in the affluent Bixby Knolls neighborhood.
The area was blocked off by police and fire crews. Several ambulances were on the scene.
Several witnesses said the shooting occurred in a building that housed a law office. The complex windows were decorated with Christmas displays featuring candy canes and Santa Claus.
Joy Wilson heard police sirens outside her home, about a block away from the shooting, and walked outside. There she saw about two dozen people running down San Antonio Drive, "looking like they were trying to get away."
"They were definitely panicking," Wilson said, standing near the police tape, helicopters buzzing overhead.
Police were there with assault rifles and technical gear.
"Something bad was happening," she said. "They were moving."
Residents said they were stunned by the violence.
"This is a very safe area," said Agnes, 40, who lives in a nearby apartment and did not want to give her last name. She had strolled down to Trader Joe's to grocery shop when she came upon the crush of police cars and helicopters flying overhead.
"Everything was always fine, we have good neighbors. That is why I am in shock."
