LOS ANGELES (CNS) — An off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer was killed in an apparent exchange of gunfire with as many as three armed robbery suspects in the unincorporated Firestone-Florence neighborhood Monday night. Tuesday, LAPD revealed his name as the search for his killers continued.
Officer Fernando Arroyos, 27, was a three-year veteran of the department, assigned to the Olympic Division, according to the LAPD. Arroyos, an only child, is survived by his mother, father and stepfather.
"He had a promising future, a bright future, that was taken away viciously over a street robbery," LAPD Chief Michel Moore said.
Authorities said Arroyos was in a car with his girlfriend around 9:15 p.m. Monday in the 8700 block of Beach Street. Arroyos is believed to have exited the vehicle and been approached by three men attempting to rob the couple — leading him to exchange in gunfire with the assailants.
Arroyos died of his injuries. It's unclear if any of the suspects were struck, investigators said, adding that the officer's girlfriend was not injured.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, appearing at an LAUSD back-to-school event Tuesday morning, said Arroyos was a son of immigrants. The mayor said Arroyos was with his girlfriend at the time of the attack, looking for their first home.
"My heart is broken. Our city's heart is broken, and certainly our LAPD family's hearts all grieve," Garcetti said. "I spoke with his mother...last night at the hospital and [his] stepfather...because this happened outside the city of Los Angeles, the sheriff's department is taking the lead on all investigations, with very strong support from our Robbery-Homicide officers as well."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is handling the investigation into Arroyos death and continues to search for the three men who attempted to rob the couple. They were last seen in a black pickup truck, according to LASD.
LAPD Chief Moore told reporters that investigators recovered the officer's
handgun and a firearm believed used by a suspect in the crime.
Los Angeles Police Commission President William Briggs said Arroyos died a hero, protecting himself and his girlfriend.
"On behalf of the Board of Police Commissioners, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the officer's family, friends and loved ones," he said. "He died at the hands of vicious powers, those who perpetrated this horrible act, they will be caught, they will be prosecuted."
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
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