Long Beach City College has updated its response after initially failing to provide clear information to students and faculty on the arrest of a man who came onto LAC with a machete today.
LBCC’s initial email to students failed to mention that the man, Rudy Revell, was armed with a machete, only stating that there was police activity on campus and that the situation was contained.
Director of Communications and Community Engagement Stacey Toda provided a statement shortly after she failed to provide an immediate comment on the arrest.
“On Friday, May 30, 2025, at approximately 8:49 a.m., the Long Beach Police Department responded to a report of an individual on the Liberal Arts Campus armed with a machete. A 9-1-1 call was placed at 8:49 a.m., and LBPD arrived on scene that same minute. The suspect was taken into custody within minutes of the initial call. We are relieved to report that no Long Beach City College students, employees, or community members were harmed during this incident.”
When asked why LBCC’s initial email withheld this information, Director of Communications and Community Engagement Stacey Toda did not immediately provide a comment, only responding to the Viking News via text, “Just wanted to let you know that I got your message and your request is going through our media process. Send me your email again please so I don’t have to dig through my emails. Please and thanks!”
LBCC has since sent out a second email to students and employees with the same message and an outline of safety reminders.
The Long Beach Police Department has also released more information regarding the arrest.
“On May 30, 2025 at approximately 8:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Carson Street and Douglas Drive regarding a person with a knife. Upon arrival, officers located a male adult subject on the Long Beach City College campus. Officers established a perimeter, and the campus was placed on a brief lockdown. Officers began to de-escalate the situation, and after several minutes, the subject surrendered. He was arrested and transported to Long Beach City Jail for booking and was identified as Rudy Revell, a 29-year-old resident of the City of Orange. He was booked for brandishing a weapon, vandalism, court ordered violation, and possession of a weapon on school grounds. Bail is pending magistrate review. The investigation is ongoing.”
The Viking will provide updates on this story as needed.