Whittier, California police officer Keith Boyer was shot dead today in an ambush attack by a gang member.
The suspect, who was released from prison two weeks ago, shot Boyer dead and injured another police officer after a traffic accident.
.@whittierpd chief teared up as he described death of his longtime friend, Officer Keith Boyer, killed in shootout https://t.co/gCyCY6X8R2 pic.twitter.com/q8tQwCSGJn
— KTLA (@KTLA) February 20, 2017
The killer who shot Whittier officer Boyer is linked to another murder this morning.
Man who shot Whittier officer this morning suspected in another killing in East LA that occurred hours earlier: LASD https://t.co/gCyCY6X8R2
— KTLA (@KTLA) February 21, 2017
The suspect, who has not been identified, is a known gang member who had tattoos on his face and neck and was wearing “gang attire.”
Whittier Daily News reported:
One officer was killed and another injured in a shootout Monday with a 26-year-old suspected gang member from Los Angeles, authorities said.
Whittier Police Chief Jeff Piper identified the deceased officer as veteran officer Keith Boyer, of Whittier, and the wounded officer as Patrick Hazell, also of Whittier.
Hazell, who has been with the department for 3 years, was in stable condition, said Lt. John Corina, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide bureau. The suspect, who has not been identified, is a known gang member, authorities said. His condition was not known. Corina said the suspect was released from prison two weeks ago.
The officers were responding to a traffic collision around 8 a.m. in the area of Mar Vista and Colima Road when the shooting occurred, authorities said.
Corina told reporters at the scene the suspect had crashed a stolen vehicle into two other vehicles while traveling southbound on Colima. The drivers of the other vehicles had helped the suspect push his vehicle around the corner onto Mar Vista before officers arrived.
When officers did arrive, they turned the corner to talk to the suspect who immediately opened fire, striking
Our deepest condolences & prayers go out to family & friends of @whittierpd Ofcr. Keith W. Boyer. #EOW 02/20/17, RIP brother. #LASD pic.twitter.com/iulgGOsinn
— LA County Sheriff's (@LASDHQ) February 20, 2017