Authorities said the officer-involved shooting occurred at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex in the 18100 block of Goldenwest Street at about 7:30 p.m.
Jose Sanchez said he was coaching two groups of kids – 11-year-old boys and 14-year-old girls – when he saw the man chasing people and threatening them with a weapon.
“Roughly late 20s, early 30s, armed with a bat and a knife, or a bottle – there was a couple of different descriptions,” Huntington Beach police Chief Rob Handy said.
Sanchez said a police officer showed up, warning to man to drop the item or he would be shot. He said the man did not comply.
The families were told to leave the area, according to witnesses. Police said they received several calls from frightened families as they were heading to the complex.
Officers opened fire after the man ran into the bleachers where a woman was frozen in fear.
“It looked like the guy was going to go and do something to her, so the cops shot him about three times,” Sanchez said.
Police said there were several families in the bleachers not far from when the shooting occurred.
Many of the children and parents were shaken up by the incident, but Sanchez said everyone will be ok.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said their homicide detectives would be conducting an investigation into the shooting.
