Horrible. Another police officer gunned down in his personal vehicle by a couple of thugs who are still on the run from police in Los Angeles, California.
Officer Ricardo Galvez died while sitting in his personal vehicle in the parking lot of police headquarters when he was gunned down by two suspects who opened fire on him.
Police officials are now saying he was targeted however they haven’t provided a motive yet.
Officer Ricardo Galvez:
More:
ASSOCIATED PRESS – Los Angeles County authorities say a police officer shot to death in the parking lot of Downey police headquarters was apparently targeted.
Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina says Officer Ricardo Galvez was in the driver’s seat of his personal vehicle when two suspects ran up and opened fire late Wednesday. The five-year department veteran died in the car.
Another officer heard the gunshots and pursued the suspects, who drove off into the neighboring city of Montebello. Authorities didn’t say whether they believed Galvez was targeted for personal reasons or because of his profession.
A large perimeter has been set up and several apartment buildings have been evacuated as SWAT officers sweep the area.
Corina said Thursday that a number of people have been detained.
Downey Police Chief Carl Charles praised Galvez’s professionalism and said the officer loved serving the city.
This reeks of the war on cops waged by groups like Black Lives Matter and other anti-cop black activists that have emerged since the Michael Brown shooting. But we’ll know more when police catch these thugs.
UPDATE: Galvez was a veteran of the Marine Corps, via Press Telegram:
Officer Ricardo “Ricky” Galvez, a 5-year veteran of the Downey Police Department was shot and killed late Wednesday night in the department’s parking lot.
“It appears that he was targeted,” said sheriff’s Lt. John Corina, “It’s pretty brazen.”
Galvez was veteran of the Marine Corps, said Downey police Chief Carl Charles.
He was not married and had no children.
“Our department is hurting,” the chief said.
Galvez’s body was found after a fellow officer heard the shooting, according to Corina.
Galvez was at the end of his shift when the shooting took place, noted Corina.
Lt. Corina said investigators believe two males ran toward Galvez and shot him.
They also report that three suspects have been detained:
Three people were detained in Montebello around 11:15 p.m. after a high-speed police chase on surface streets. Investigators were still in the Montebello neighborhood searching for more information and possible suspects, Corina said.
A Nissan Altima at the scene in Montebello is believed to be the suspect’s vehicle, officials said.