Off-duty police officer fatally shot in Downey
Unidentified victim worked for the department in Monterey Park
An off-duty Monterey Park Police Department officer was shot and killed in Downey on Monday.
The shooting was reported about 3:25 p.m. in a parking lot at the Downey Landing retail center in the 12700 block of Lakewood Boulevard. The gunshot victim was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release from the Downey Police Department.
The victim was identified as an off-duty officer of the Monterey Park department, Downey police said. The victim's name was not immediately released.
During an evening news conference, Monterey Park Police Chief Kelly Gordon said the department is asking for justice for the fallen officer.
“The Monterey Park Police Department is in mourning tonight,” Gordon said.
Downey police said during the news conference they were following up on leads. No arrests were immediately announced.
First responders were earlier seen in the parking lot pumping the chest of a man lying unmoving on the ground next to a black coupe with tinted windows.
The rear end of the car appeared to have struck the rear left corner of a van in a parking space, as seen in aerial footage broadcast by KCBS Channel 2. Downey police taped off the area and set up a canopy as they searched for clues.
After the shooting, dozens of shoppers and neighbors hovered outside the police tape. Part of the retail center was closed for the investigation.
Events leading up to the shooting were under investigation, and no suspect description was available.
Anyone with additional information was encouraged to call Detective Ron Gee at 562-904-2331.