Robert Goins, 46

Robert Goins, a 46-year-old black man, died Friday, April 15, after he was stabbed in the 3400 block of North Pacific Place in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Goins was with another man on the Metro Blue Line platform about 2:14 a.m. when the two got into an argument, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Cotter. 

His companion pulled a knife and began stabbing Goins multiple times, Cotter said. Deputies from the Transit Policing Division encountered the men during the attack, he said, as Goins was lying on the platform.

Goin's attacker also stabbed himself in the chest, Cotter said. When the deputies ordered him to drop his weapon, the man fled from the station still holding the knife, Cotter said.

The deputies tried to help Goins but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:39 a.m., according to coroner’s records.

Multiple Long Beach Police officers began chasing the bleeding assailant, who walked and ran down Wardlow Avenue into the 30100 block of Magnolia Avenue, Cotter said.

The officers used less-lethal weapons —  Tasers and 37mm rounds— to get the man to stop and drop his weapon, Cotter said.

The man, who has not been identified, finally released the knife and the officers were able to handcuff him, and take him to a nearby hospital for treatment, Cotter said.

“The Long Beach officers really did a phenomenal job,’ Cotter said. “They followed him while he was still armed, and acting in a bizarre manner, for literally a half mile, and they did a great job in safely resolving the matter.”

The man is presently too injured from his self-inflicted stab wounds to be moved from the hospital, Cotter said, but he is expected to recover.  Once he is stronger, he will be arrested on suspicion of murder, and moved to a county jail hospital to fully recover, Cotter said. His name won’t be released until he is arrested.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.