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California officer may have been deliberately targeted, police say Three arrested over killing of California police officer 'in botched robbery'
(about 4 hours later)
An officer shot to death while sitting in his car in the parking lot of Downey police headquarters was apparently targeted, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said on Thursday. Three young men were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of killing a California police officer and former marine in what investigators described as a botched robbery as the lawman sat in his own car after work.
Officer Ricardo Galvez was in the driver’s seat of his personal vehicle at the end of his shift when two male suspects ran up and opened fire late on Wednesday, lieutenant John Corina said. The five-year department veteran died in the car. Downey police Officer Ricardo “Ricky” Galvez, 29, was in plainclothes in the driver’s seat of his car at the end of his shift when two men ran up and opened fire late on Wednesday, Los Angeles County sheriff’s lieutenant John Corina said. 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 did not say whether they believed Galvez was targeted for personal reasons or because of his profession. Corina said two men in their 20s and a juvenile were out looking for someone to rob when they spotted Galvez sitting in his car after he just finished work. Galvez was shot seconds later.
“It doesn’t look like it was random,” Corina said. “They were attempting to rob Officer Galvez not realizing he was a police officer,” Corina said. “I don’t even think he saw these guys coming up on him.”
A large perimeter was set up as Swat officers swept neighborhoods early on Thursday. Another officer heard the gunshots and pursued the attackers as they fled into the neighboring city of Montebello. Investigators said they arrested the getaway driver shortly after and detained a number of other people after Swat officers swept surrounding neighborhoods.
A number of people were detained and investigators were trying to determine if any of them were the suspects, Corina said. No weapons were recovered. The other two arrests were announced later. The names of the suspects were not released.
Montebello resident Victor Bocanegra said police knocked on his door shortly after 2am and escorted his family out to the street. Corina said detectives knew quickly that Galvez was shot in a targeted, deliberate attack.
“They’ve evacuated some buildings and some townhomes,” Bocanegra told KABC-TV. “My family’s scared.” “It appeared to be an ambush style. It happened very quickly,” Corina said after viewing surveillance video of the shooting.
Bocanegra said he saw police put at least two people into patrol cars and drive away. Corina said he was not immediately able to tell if words were exchanged before Galvez was shot.
Downey’s police chief, Carl Charles, praised Galvez’s professionalism and said the officer loved serving the city. Downey’s police chief, Carl Charles, praised Galvez’s professionalism and said the officer had an infectious smile and a great attitude.
“Words cannot express the love we have for Ricky,” he said.“Words cannot express the love we have for Ricky,” he said.
Galvez was a marine veteran from the Downey area. He was not married but lived close to his siblings and other family members, Charles said at a press conference. Galvez was a marine veteran from the Downey area. He was single and lived close to his siblings and other family members, Charles said at a news conference.
The parking lot at the police department was cordoned off and sheriff’s homicide detectives were reviewing surveillance video, Corina said. Lieutanant Mark McDaniel of Downey police said Galvez “loved serving the city and he loved serving his country”.
“If you could mold a police officer, you would mold that police officer after Ricky Galvez,” McDaniel said. “We have a lot of police officers here who are hurting. We’ll never get over it and we’ll always remember Ricky.”
Dozens of officers wiped away tears and saluted as police carried Galvez’s American flag-draped body from the crime scene to a coroner’s van.
Downey is a city of about 110,000 residents 10 miles south-east of downtown Los Angeles.Downey is a city of about 110,000 residents 10 miles south-east of downtown Los Angeles.