A tense Saturday evening in Baldwin Park turned tragic when a routine police response escalated into a deadly shootout, leaving a police officer and a bystander dead, and another officer wounded.
Authorities say the incident began around:12 p.m. on Filhurst Avenue, when officers responded to reports of a man firing a rifle in a residential neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers found 43-year-old Darius Wong, a father of two, fatally shot on the sidewalk after parking his car for a family gathering.
As police confronted the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, he immediately opened fire. Officer Samuel Riveros, a nine-year veteran of the Baldwin Park Police Department, was killed in the exchange. Another officer, Anthony Pimentel, sustained injuries from shattered glass but survived and is in stable condition.
Medina-Berumen, who was also wounded during the shootout, has been charged with multiple counts including murder, attempted murder of a peace officer, and possession of an assault rifle. If convicted, he faces life in prison or the death penalty.
An AR-15 style weapon and high-capacity magazines were recovered at the scene. Investigators estimate more than 40 rounds were fired during the incident.
The Baldwin Park community has since come together to honor Officer Riveros, with hundreds lining the streets for a procession and prayer vigil, mourning the loss and seeking unity after the tragedy.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the motive behind the violence that has shaken this quiet Los Angeles suburb.
