A candlelight vigil will be held Friday evening in memory of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, who was fatally shot in a confrontation that also killed another man and wounded a second officer.
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The vigil will be held at 7:20 p.m. Friday at the Baldwin Park Police Department, 14403 E. Pacific Ave. Police urged residents to "please come stand with us in remembrance, love and solidarity as we reflect on his life, his service and the impact he had on all of us."
The 35-year-old Riveros, a nine-year department veteran, was killed around 7:15 p.m. last Saturday when he responded to the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue, a few blocks east of the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway, where a man with a rifle was firing shots.
Sheriff Robert Luna said Officers Anthony Pimentel and Alfredo Leal 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.
Also killed in the shooting spree was 43-year-old Darius Wong, a married father of two young daughters. Authorities said Wong was shot first as he was running from the gunfire, prompting the call to police and subsequent response by Pimentel, Leal, Riveros and other officers.
Pimentel, who was injured by shards of glass when a bullet fired by the suspect hit a windshield or side window of a patrol car, has since recovered from his wounds.
The suspect in the shooting, 22-year-old Eduardo Roberto Medina- Berumen, was charged with two counts of murder. The charges 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.
Medina-Berumen was also charged with one count of possession of an assault rifle and two counts of attempted murder involving the shots fired at Pimentel and Leal.
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 remained hospitalized as of Friday, will appear in a Pomona courtroom for arraignment.
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.
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.
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.
The Peace Officers Research Association of California established an online fundraiser to support Riveros' family and cover funeral expenses. Donations can be made at https://porac.org/fundraiser/officer-riveros/.
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.
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 $44,000 had been raised as of Friday 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."
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.
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