HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (CNS) — An investigation was ongoing Sunday into the fatal shooting of a 43-year-old man with a gun by police in Huntington Beach, just as the U.S. Open of Surfing was wrapping for the day.
The deceased was identified as Ronnie Andrew Garcia, whose city of residence was unknown, according to the Orange County coroner's office.
The shooting occurred just south of the city's iconic pier, and it was unclear whether Garcia was involved with the surfing event.
Huntington Beach police received a call around 3:15 p.m. Saturday about a man with a gun at Huntington City Beach, spokeswoman Jennifer Carey told City News Service.
The U.S. Open of Surfing had finished for the day and athletes and spectators had dispersed from the area, Carey said. The police department had extra officers patrolling the beach for the major event, who responded.
"Officers made contact with (Garcia) in the sand, south of the pier," she said. "The suspect was non-compliant to the multiple commands given and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Various lifesaving measures were provided and the suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased."
A gun was recovered at the scene, Carey said.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department took the lead in the shooting investigation, she said. Anyone with information was asked to call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
The U.S. Open of Surfing wraps up Sunday.