The man accused of fatally shooting a Baldwin Park police officer and another man remained in the hospital Wednesday, awaiting arraignment, one day after being charged with two counts of murder and other crimes.
The murder charges filed Tuesday against Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, 22, include the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder of a peace officer that could open him up to a possible death sentence if convicted as charged. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office will decide later whether to seek capital punishment.
The murder charges stem from the gun battle Saturday that killed 35-year-old Officer Samuel Riveros — a nine-year department veteran — along with the shooting minutes earlier of 43-year-old Darius Wong, a married father of two young daughters.
Medina-Berumen was also charged with one count of possession of an assault rifle and two counts of attempted murder involving two other Baldwin Park police officers, including Officer Anthony Pimentel, whom Hochman said was wounded when he was “hit by shards of glass that came from a bullet that we believe hit a windshield or a side windshield.”
“That entire crime scene is still under investigation,” the district attorney said.
A .223-caliber assault pistol was found at the shooting scene with a 30-round magazine and approximately 40 to 60 expended shell casings that were found near the weapon, according to Hochman, who called the officers “heroes” who put the safety of the community ahead of their own safety.
It was unclear when Medina-Berumen, who was injured in the gun battle and in the hospital, will appear in a Pomona courtroom for arraignment, but Hochman said he expected it would most likely be sometime this week.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Medina-Berumen remains in the hospital with stable vital signs.
Medina-Berumen’s bail was initially set at $4 million, but prosecutors are asking in the criminal complaint that the defendant be held without bail.
Riveros was a part of a response dispatched at about 7:15 p.m. Saturday to the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue, a few blocks east of the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway, regarding a man with a rifle, the sheriff’s department reported.
The sheriff said the Baldwin Park Police Department received a report of a man armed with a rifle who was shooting, saying that Pimentel and fellow Officer Alfredo Leal — who are identified as the victims in the attempted murder charges — arrived at the scene first in separate cars and were “immediately fired upon by this suspect who had a rifle.”
“An officer-involved shooting occurred at that time and Officer Pimentel was injured as a result of the suspect’s gunfire,” Luna said, adding that Riveros arrived soon after and he was “tragically struck by the suspect’s gunfire and unfortunately that ended up being a fatal gunshot.”
Other Baldwin Park police officers who subsequently arrived at the scene were involved in a “second volley” of gunfire in which “the suspect went down,” according to the sheriff.
“Officer Riveros, along with his fellow officers, ran towards the danger (with) absolutely no hesitation. That’s an act of profound courage,” Luna said, calling what happened “a tragedy” and saying that it serves as a painful reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face on a daily basis.
A man with a gunshot wound to his upper body — later identified as Wong — was located at the scene and rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The motive for that shooting remains under investigation.
Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez called Riveros a “dedicated officer” who “selflessly put the safety of others before his own (and) gave his life doing so.”
“… We will never forget Sam,” he said.
Pimentel appeared at the news conference, with Luna saying that “he wasn’t looking this good” when he last saw him Saturday night. Pimentel did not answer any questions.
Ring cameras in the neighborhood recorded 11 shots being fired, followed by six additional shots about 10 minutes later.
Riveros was described as a UC Irvine graduate, an avid snowboarder and a Dodgers fan who had watched the team play at stadiums across the nation.
Since the shooting, a memorial of flowers, photos and other items has continued to grow outside the city’s police department.
On Monday, County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger directed that all county flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of Riveros. The flags will remain lowered until Riveros’ funeral.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our entire Los Angeles County community,” Barger said in a statement. “Officer Samuel Riveros served with courage and commitment, and his ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. We honor his life, his service, and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fellow officers.”
In a GoFundMe page established to help cover funeral expenses for Wong, his brother Victor Vuong said his sibling died “in the most innocent of ways — without truly knowing what was happening.”
“He was a kind soul with so much more life ahead of him,” Vuong wrote. “As we try to come to terms with this tragic loss, I’m asking for support to help cover funeral expenses and to give Darius the peaceful farewell he deserves. More importantly, we are also seeking justice for Darius. No one should have to experience what he went through, and we won’t stop until the truth is known and accountability is found.”
More than $25,363 was raised as of Wednesday morning.
On Sunday, Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila released a statement saying, “When danger erupted last night and the call went out for help, it was our Baldwin Park police officers who responded without hesitation, reflecting the best of bravery and conviction to serve. On behalf of our council and city hall staff, I offer our sincerest condolences to the victims, our Baldwin Park police department community and the families of those affected by this violence.”
The mayor described what happened as a “tragedy for our community,” adding that “many in our community have been affected by these crimes, and I ask that you embrace your officers and neighbors, support them in their time of need and show one another the best of Baldwin Park.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom and acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis issued the following statement Sunday: “We mourn the tragic loss of one of California’s brave law enforcement officers, who was killed in the line of duty while selflessly protecting the community. Our deepest condolences do out to Officer Riveros’ family, loved ones, and colleagues. We share in the grief and honor his sacrifice made in service to the public’s safety.”
Anyone with information regarding the suspect or the shooting was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call 800-222-8477 or go to lacrimestoppers.org.