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San Bernardino police officer still critical after shootout; vigil held at hospital
San Bernardino Police officer Gabriel Garcia was severely injured in a shootout early Friday morning.
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San Bernardino Police Department
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Photo of Alex Alvarado, the man accused of shooting a San Bernardino Police training officer during an early morning altercation Friday.
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San Bernardino Police Department
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Image of Jonathan Contreras circulated by San Bernardino police. Contreras was arrested on suspicion of possession of an assault rifle and a sawed-off rifle in connection with the shooting of a San Bernardino Police training officer early Friday morning.
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San Bernardino Police Department
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A San Bernardino police officer remains in very critical condition after a shootout early Friday morning and a surgery.
RELATED: San Bernardino police officer in critical condition after shootout (updated)
Police say the officer, 31-year-old Gabriel Garcia, and his trainee approached six people on a street shortly after 2 a.m. Friday when a suspect opened fire, hitting the training officer. The trainee returned fire, killing the suspect. Others were taken into custody.
“There is no significant change in his (Garcia’s) status and he is in I believe what they call a ‘medically-induced coma,’” San Bernardino Lt. Rich Lawhead told KPCC.
The San Bernardino Police Department also tweeted about Garcia’s condition Saturday:
https://twitter.com/SanBernardinoPD/status/503225018651009024
https://twitter.com/SBPDChief/status/503210594174906368
Sponsored message
Garcia is currently at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where a vigil was held for him Friday night.
https://twitter.com/SBSunPhoto/status/503037306090315776
https://twitter.com/JulieSone/status/503024916904824832
San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan described Garcia, a veteran of the force for over 6 years, as "exemplary" and "a great team member and a great man." His father Ron Garcia is a captain on the force and a 30-year veteran of the San Bernardino police department.
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