1 Baldwin Park police officer killed, 1 hurt in shootout with murder suspect, officials say
BALDWIN PARK, Calif. (KABC) -- A procession was held overnight for a Baldwin Park police officer killed during a shootout with a murder suspect Saturday evening. A second officer was also shot and remains hospitalized.
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.
The call indicated that there was a person shooting rounds with a rifle at the scene.
When officers arrived, they were met by gunfire, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. Two officers were struck and transported to L.A. General Medical Center in Lincoln Heights. One of those officers was pronounced dead, while the other is in stable condition.
"Our officer was an amazing man. He was an avid snowboarder, a Dodger fan," said Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert López. "It's extremely tragic to have to deal with this. I ask for your prayers."
"The other officer -- he's in good condition. He's surrounded by his family," López said.
Officials said they were not going to immediately identify the two officers involved as they continue to contact loved ones.
Officers at the scene returned fire, shooting the suspect. He was taken into custody and to a local hospital in stable condition. Officials said it's unclear how many officers fired shots.
The sheriff's department said the scene appears to be a double murder. In addition to the Baldwin Park officer shot and killed, another man was found dead at the scene with apparent gunshot wounds.
Officials believe the suspect they have in custody is the suspect in the murder of both the police officer and the victim found at the scene.
Further details about the victim found at the scene were not immediately available. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation into the deadly shooting.
When Eyewitness News first arrived at the scene on Filhurst Avenue, there were dozens of police officers, sheriff's deputies, SWAT team members, paramedics, and firefighters present.
In video obtained by Eyewitness News, you can hear the gunfire ringing through the neighborhood.
"It sounded like fireworks, like strobe rockets or something, just going off constantly back and forth," one neighbor said. "I thought it was just fireworks, but then you hear patrol cars from everywhere, coming in, swarming."
"It was crazy. I walked outside and there was all kinds of cop cars flying down the street," said neighbor Edson Chavez.
