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A 22-year-old man who allegedly killed a neighbor on Saturday night shot and killed a Baldwin Park police officer, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Eduardo Medina Belomen has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon of assault in special circumstances in connection with a burst of gunfight that killed Baldwin Park police officers Samuel Liberos and Darius Wong. If convicted, he faces life without the possibility of parole.
A rifle and up to 60 used shell casings were found on the scene. Atty. Nathan Hochman said at a press conference Tuesday.
LA County Da Nathan Hochmann, along with Sheriff Robert Luna, announced the murder charges of a suspect in the murder of a Baldwin Park police officer and civilian on Tuesday.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Speaking at the press conference, Sheriff Robert Luna said Baldwin Park police officers Anthony Pimentel and Alfredo Rial were responding to reports of a shooting in the 4200 block of Phisherst Avenue shortly after Medina Belomen shot and killed Wong. The 22-year-old fired fire on both officers, Luna said. Rial was not injured, but Pimentel was scratched by shrapnel of glass after a bullet hit the police car window.
With knowledge of the case, according to two law enforcement, Liberos began running towards the shot to support his fellow officers when Medina Bellmen allegedly shot him in the head. Sources requested anonymity to discuss active investigations.
“Officer Liberos was in a virtually open shooting environment when he decided to put the safety of his community ahead of his own safety,” Hochman said. “When bullets were flying, he came across those bullets… and in doing so he made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The Dodgers branded items are included in the memorial of Samuel Liberos, a Baldwin Park police officer known for his love for the LA team.
(William Leanne / For the era)
Pimentel was released from the hospital and attended a press conference.
Investigators are still working to determine the motive for the killing, but a neighbor and two law enforcement sources said there was a parking dispute outside the residence where Medina Belomen lived just before the gunshot exploded. Medina – Belomen is said to have shot 43-year-old Wong. The 43-year-old is a neighbor involved in a parking dispute just before the officers arrived, sources said. Luna said Tuesday that he could not confirm or deny the reports.
Medina Bellmen lived with her grandmother and mother, according to the suspect’s father, Eduardo Medina.
“I don’t know,” Medina said. “It’s so sad. That’s not good. It’s not good at all.”
Luna said the defendant remains hospitalized in a stable state. It was not immediately clear when he would be arrested or if he had legal representatives.
Hochman, who gave prosecutors the power to seek the death penalty again earlier this year, said it would take several months to decide whether to seek the death penalty against Medina Belomen.
A friend remembered Liberos as a snowboarder, and was an avid Dodgers fan, and sometimes travelled to other cities to see his team play road games. Riveros has been an executive since 2016, records show.
“Officer Liberos gave his life in serving others, a deep testament to his unwavering dedication to duty and selfless courage,” the LA County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the murder, wrote in a statement. “His losses are deeply felt not only by his family and colleagues, but also by the entire Baldwin Park community and law enforcement.”
Police officers investigate the research. California has launched an online fundraiser to cover Liberos’ funeral costs.
When he was killed, Officer Samuel Liberos was racing to support his partner, who was injured in the shooting, officials said.
(Baldwin Park Police Station)
Wong’s brother, Victor Von, said his brother was “an innocent bystander walking down the street where he was shot in the back.”
Wong dropped off his wife, two children and step-sisters, parked the car a few blocks away before walking to the party. If they were with him, they could have been killed too.
“He was a hardworking man who cared deeply for his family,” Von wrote in Gofundme. “His passion for helping others extends beyond his own family. He was dedicated to showing up to work every day at Choc Orange Hospital.”
Times staff writer Matthew Ormseth contributed to this report.
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