Santa Fe Springs man arrested in Seal Beach after brandishing imitation firearm

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A man was arrested after allegedly brandishing what later turned out to be an imitation firearm at multiple people on the Seal Beach Pier.

On Sunday, April 3, 2022 at approximately 4:04 pm, the Seal Beach Police Department responded to the Seal Beach Pier following multiple reports of a man brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner.

When officers arrived, witnesses said that a male subject was involved in an argument with another individual at end of the pier. During the argument, the man allegedly brandished a black firearm and pointed it at the victim and other uninvolved individuals. The man fled the scene toward Main Street.

Officers quickly began searching the area and located a man matching the provided description. Officers detained the man without incident, and he was positively identified by the victim and witnesses as the person who had allegedly brandished the weapon.

The suspect was identified as Austin Heesung Lee, age 30, of Santa Fe Springs, California. He was in possession of a replica Airsoft 9mm “Beretta” BB gun. The imitation firearm was equipped with a tactical light and did not have an orange painted tip.

Lee was taken into custody for California Penal Code §417.4 (a)(1), drawing or exhibiting imitation firearm in a threatening manner. He was booked at the Seal Beach Jail and later released on citation. The imitation firearm was booked as evidence.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information or who may be a victim is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Chris Hendrix at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1112 or [email protected].