Introduction to the Incident
The suspect accused of fatally shooting two people, including a Baldwin Park police officer, over the weekend has been identified as 22-year-old Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Monday. Medina-Berumen was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held in lieu of $4 million bail, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Background of the Suspect
Two law enforcement sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the active investigation, said Medina-Berumen has no known criminal history. He lives with his mother at the Baldwin Park address on Filhurst Avenue where gunfire erupted Saturday night, a source said. Medina-Berumen was wounded by police and is being hospitalized in stable condition before being transferred to a jail facility.
The Shooting Incident
Baldwin Park police responded to the home around 7 p.m. and were met with gunfire. Two officers —Samuel Riveros and Anthony Pimentel — were struck and were rushed to a hospital. Riveros, 35, of Pasadena did not survive. Officers also found a man suffering from fatal gunshot wounds in the front yard of the home where the suspect was found. That man, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. It was not immediately clear when the person was shot, but Sheriff Robert Luna said the suspect was believed to be responsible. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks to the media Sunday outside Los Angeles General Medical Center. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)
Investigation and Aftermath
It was not immediately clear whether Medina-Berumen had legal representation. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office had not filed charges as of late Monday morning. “This tragic shooting is a sobering reminder of the danger our first responders face when they answer the call. The District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene and is working closely with law enforcement partners to support a thorough investigation,” Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said in a statement. Eduardo Medina, who identified himself to a Times reporter on Sunday as the suspect’s father, said he first learned about his son’s arrest, the killings and the shootout from his daughter.
Eyewitness Accounts
Juan Ruvalcaba, 81, who lives across the street from where the shooting began Saturday night, said he initially thought he was hearing firecrackers, but then saw his neighbor shooting what appeared to be a long gun. He said the young man was in his own front yard and seemed to be shooting into the air and in the direction of a different street — but he didn’t see the man aiming at anyone or anything in particular. Law enforcement officers investigate the scene of the shooting. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)
Neighborhood Reaction
On Monday morning, the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue was quiet after days of activity in the normally peaceful neighborhood. A small group of family and friends gathered in front of a memorial set up to mourn the civilian killed on Saturday. Tamara Ayala heard three gunshots that she initially thought were fireworks. She checked her Ring camera that points to her front yard and saw a man lying motionless on the sidewalk in front of her home. Ayala said the man who was shot was dropping his wife and daughter off at a housewarming in the neighborhood and got into a verbal altercation with Medina-Berumen, possibly over parking in the neighborhood.
Conclusion
The shooting incident in Baldwin Park has left the community in shock, with many trying to understand the circumstances that led to such a tragic event. The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as the case unfolds. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers and the importance of community support in preventing such tragedies.
FAQs
- Q: Who is the suspect in the Baldwin Park shooting?
A: The suspect is 22-year-old Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen. - Q: What is the current status of the suspect?
A: Medina-Berumen is being held in lieu of $4 million bail and is currently hospitalized in stable condition. - Q: Did the suspect have any prior criminal history?
A: According to law enforcement sources, Medina-Berumen has no known criminal history. - Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, with the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office working closely with law enforcement partners to support a thorough investigation.
