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Police say newly freed gang member killed California officer
ROBERT JABLON,Associated Press 8 hours ago



LOS ANGELES (AP) — A gang member who was recently freed from jail killed his cousin and stole his car Monday then shot and killed a California police officer and wounded his partner before being wounded himself, authorities said.

Whittier Officer Keith Lane Boyer died and Officer Patrick Hazell was wounded when they answered a report of a traffic accident in the eastern Los Angeles County suburb.

A motorist pointed out the location of the car that had rear-ended his vehicle, and the officers approached the driver.

"When they get him out of the car, they go to pat him down for weapons, they can see he's got tattoos all over his face and all over his neck," county sheriff's Lt. John Corina said.

The man then pulled a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and opened fire at the officers, who were wearing bulletproof vests and shot back, Corina said.

"They walked up on the vehicle believing the motorist was in need of medical help and then they ended up in a gunfight for their lives," Sheriff Jim McDonnell said.

Whittier Police Chief Jeff Piper wept as he described Boyer as a friend of more than 25 years.

"All of us have been grieving," the chief said. "And I didn't think I had any tears left."

Gov. Jerry Brown issued a statement of condolence. Capitol flags were ordered to be flown at half-staff in his honor.

Monday night, hundreds of people held a candlelight vigil for Boyer at police headquarters. Piper told them that he planned to write a song for Boyer, who played with him in an off-duty band.

The suspect, a 26-year-old gang member, had a history of serious crimes and had been granted early release from Los Angeles County jail about a week ago, Corina said. He didn't know the nature of his offense.

His name wasn't immediately released.

Earlier Monday, he shot and killed his cousin in East Los Angeles and took his car, which later rear-ended another car in the neighboring city of Whittier, Corina said.

He got out and asked those he had hit to help push his stolen car from the intersection.

Boyer and Hazell didn't know any of those details when they answered the report of a car accident, Corina said.

Boyer was pronounced dead at a hospital. Hazell, a three-year veteran, and the suspect were hospitalized in stable condition and were expected to live.

After the shooting, a long line of police cars escorted the slain officer's body from a hospital in Irvine to the coroner's office. Mourners placed candles and flowers outside police headquarters.

Boyer joined the force as a dispatcher in 1989 and became a full-time officer in 1990. A divorced father who played the drums, he was "the best of the best" who was sought for advice by his colleagues and superiors, the chief said.

Boyer recently talked to the chief about retiring.

The Whittier Police Department has about 125 sworn officers who patrol Whittier and Santa Fe Springs.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/california-police-officer-killed-during-traffic-accident-195657703.html

This is why I believe you should just execute violent crime offenders. I have no compassion for thugs.

I wonder if this guy was let out early while serving time for a non-violent weed charge?

He was convicted of a felony robbery charge as a member of a gang in 2010 ... paroled in 14 ... while on parole he was arrested for grand theft and vehicle theft .... released early on that sentance ...

This is a tragic incident to be sure. But will it amount to anything beyond an anecdotal story?

This headline could just as easily read "Cop killed by rare miniature meteor!" and that meteor would have to be an illegal... This is a tragedy and obviously this guy should never have been released, but you can't prevent this kind of useless violence with fear. I remember when we had spines.

but you can't prevent this kind of useless violence with fear.