Twitter has lit up in the last few minutes with possible news of 2 officers down in a shoot-out with Chris Dorner in Big Bear. Here’s the latest from Fox News:
FOX NEWS – A law enforcement official says a person believed to be the fugitive ex-Los Angeles cop sought in three killings has exchanged gunfire with authorities in the San Bernardino Mountains.
The officer requested anonymity because the officer was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.
The officer tells The Associated Press it’s believed Christopher Dorner committed a residential burglary of a cabin and had a couple tied up in the cabin. One was able to get away and make a call.
Authorities responded to the location and gave chase Tuesday when Dorner fled in a stolen car. Gunfire was exchanged.
UPDATE: One of the officers involved in the earlier shootout with Dorner has apparently died:
One police officer was killed and another hurt in a fierce gunfight with a fugitive ex-LAPD cop who remained holed up in a cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains, law enforcement sources said.
UPDATE: The cabin that Dorner is in is reportedly fully engulfed in flames and news choppers are allowed in the air again. Either Dorner killed himself or he was shot by a sniper:
CNN – [Updated at 7:33 p.m. ET] More details on authorities’ current assault on the cabin: Fire, as well as smoke from devices that the officers detonated, have engulfed the structure, according to authorities familiar with the operation. Ammunition is exploding inside, the sources said.
[Updated at 7:26 p.m. ET] The cabin appears to be on fire. Authorities began an assault on the structure minutes ago.
Authorities have penetrated the structure and were bringing equipment to tear openings into the cabin, a source familiar with the operation said.
[Updated at 7:22 p.m. ET] Black smoke is rising high in the air from the cabin area, video from CNN affiliate KABC shows. The video appeared to be taken from a distance; authorities had asked news helicopters to keep well away.
[Updated at 7:20 p.m. ET] Authorities have launched tear gas at the cabin, and a tactical operation is under way, Former FBI Assistant Director Tom Fuentes tells CNN.