2 killed, including officer, in California shooting, sheriff says
Two Southern California police officers were shot, one fatally, when they were ambushed Saturday night and got into a gunfight with a suspect shortly after he allegedly killed a man, police said.
The shooting occurred at around 7:12 p.m. Pacific time in the Los Angeles County city of Baldwin Park after two police officers responded to a reports of a man firing a rifle in a residential neighborhood, according to a statement released Sunday by the city of Baldwin Park.
As the officers arrived at the scene, the suspect allegedly opened fire on them without warning, striking them both, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna said at a midnight press conference on Sunday. Luna described the shooting as a "double homicide," saying the second victim, who was not publicly identified, was a male adult.
“When danger erupted last night and the call went out for help, it was our Baldwin Park Police Officers who responded without hesitation, reflecting the best of bravery and conviction to serve," Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila said in Sunday's statement, in which he also expressed condolences on behalf of the city council and city hall staff to the fallen officer's family and relatives of the victims.
“Last night was a night of tragedy for our community. Many in our community have been affected by these crimes, and I ask that you embrace your officers and neighbors, support them in their time of need and show one another the best of Baldwin Park," Avila added.
The mortally wounded officer, whom officials identified as Officer Samuel Riveros, was taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center in Lincoln Heights where he was pronounced dead, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD).
The Baldwin Police Department mourned Riveros' death, writing, "A proud UC Irvine graduate, Officer Samuel Riveros was known not only for his tactical skills and professionalism, but for his love of snowboarding and his unwavering loyalty to the Los Angeles Dodgers. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the example he set."
The officer who survived the shooting, identified as Officer Anthony Pimentel, was also treated at Los Angeles General Medical Center and is expected to survive, the LASD statement said.
Luna, whose agency is leading the investigation into the shooting, said SWAT and other law enforcement officers arrived at the scene and exchanged gunfire with the suspect. He said the suspect, whose name has not been released, was shot in the incident and taken into custody.
A rifle allegedly belonging to the shooting suspect was recovered at the scene, according to the LASD.
Following the shooting, a man was found dead from gunshot wounds on a sidewalk outside a home in the Balwin Park neighborhood, Luna said. Investigators believe he was the victim of the suspect who shot the officers, Luna said.
Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez praised both officers for running toward danger to "protect residents in Baldwin Park."
"Our officer was an amazing man," Lopez said of the deceased officer. "He was an avid snowboarder, a Dodger fan. It's extremely tragic to have to deal with this. I ask for your prayers."
ABC News' Charlotte Slovin contributed to this report.
