One police officer was killed, and another is hospitalized after a suspect opened fire on Saturday night in Baldwin Park, California (which is located just east of Los Angeles).
At a press conference shortly after midnight, officials said Baldwin Park police responded to a call about gunshots and a person down at 7:12 p.m. at a residence in the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue and Los Angeles Street. The call indicated that there was a person shooting rounds with a rifle at the scene. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that when officers arrived, they were met by gunfire — two officers were struck and transported to L.A. General Medical Center in Lincoln Heights, where one of those officers was pronounced dead, while the other is in stable condition.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna during a press conference early Sunday morning: “When they arrived, they were met by gunfire. The call did indicate that there was an individual that was shooting rounds with a rifle, we’re still trying … to determine exactly what that was.”
Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez added during the press conference: “He answered a call of duty of shots fired to protect our residents in Baldwin Park. He and his other officer responded and as is customary with any police officer, or any sheriff’s deputy, they always respond and go into the fire. That’s what he did tonight. Tragically, he lost his life.” Lopez said that the officer was an “amazing man,” an avid Dodgers fan and snowboarder.
The second officer is said to be in stable condition and surrounded by family members; Lopez said: “it’s extremely tragic to have to deal with this. I ask for your prayers, I ask for the community to remember the officers and the deputies that go out there every day to push the black and white, making it safe for all of our families, our residents and the community as well.”
Luna said that the suspect had been taken into custody, though he did not provide details on where they were located. He said that the suspect was shot by police during the incident and taken to a hospital for treatment. He is in stable condition as of press time.
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