BALDWIN PARK, Calif. — A Baldwin Park police officer was shot and killed, and another wounded, during a violent confrontation in a Los Angeles-area neighborhood on Saturday evening. Authorities have arrested a suspect in what investigators are now calling a double homicide.
According to police, officers responded to reports of gunfire and a person down around 7 p.m. on the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue. The caller indicated an active shooter was armed with a rifle.
Upon arrival, officers were met with gunfire. One officer was fatally shot, and a second was hospitalized in stable condition, officials said. A second victim — an adult male civilian — was found dead at the scene.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, whose department is leading the investigation, said the suspect, an adult male, allegedly fired first at responding officers. He was shot in the exchange of gunfire and later taken to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Authorities confirmed they believe the same suspect is responsible for both homicides and have recovered the weapon used in the attack.
“This is a double murder investigation,” Luna said at a late-night press briefing. “This tragedy strikes not just at law enforcement but at our entire community.”
Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez grew emotional as he paid tribute to the slain officer during a news conference early Sunday.
“Our officer was an amazing man,” Lopez said. While the officer’s identity was not immediately released to allow for full family notification, the chief shared personal details about his character.
“He loved snowboarding. He was a huge fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and traveled around the country to watch them play,” Lopez said. “He brought joy and dedication to this department and to the people he served.”
The second officer injured in the shootout remains hospitalized in stable condition, officials said. Details on his identity and the extent of his injuries were not disclosed.
The Baldwin Park shooting adds to a growing number of incidents involving violence against law enforcement officers in the United States. The deadly confrontation has drawn an outpouring of grief and support from community members, local officials, and fellow law enforcement agencies.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has taken over the investigation as officials work to determine the motive behind the attack and whether the suspect had prior contact with either victim.
More details are expected in the coming days as authorities continue gathering evidence and notifying next of kin.
