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LAPD Chief Charlie Beck on Hunt for Christopher Dorner: 'Nobody Else Needs to Die'
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck held a press conference at 10:00 a.m. to update the public on the search for Christopher Dorner, who is accused of fatally shooting three people over the course of this week and wounding two others. Beck confirmed that Dorner is being sought for the murders of Monica Quan, the daughter of an LAPD officer, and her fiancee, Keith Lawrence, on Sunday, February 3rd.
Dorner is also suspected of unsuccessfully trying to steal a boat on Wednesday, February 6th at approximately 8:30 p.m. He reportedly fled the scene when the attempt was unsuccessful.
Additionally, Dorner is being sought for two shootings this morning. At 1:25 a.m., officers in Chino received a tip that a suspect matching Dorner's description was in the area. The suspect fired on officers when they attempted to pursue him, grazing one in the head with a bullet. Then at 1:45 a.m., a suspect matching Dorner's description allegedly ambushed two Riverside police officers, fatally shooting one and seriously wounding the other.
Beck also confirmed that in the course of the search for Dorner, two individuals were mistakenly shot by officers. That incident occurred at 5:15 a.m. today, when a tip was received stating that a vehicle matching Dorner's vehicle's description was driving in Torrance with its lights out.
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Beck described what followed as "an officer-involved shooting occurred," sending both individuals to the hospital. One is in stable condition with two gunshot wounds, and the other was released with minor wounds.
"Tragically, we believe this was a case of mistaken identiy by officers," said Beck.
Beck went on to issue brief condolences to those who have suffered injuries or losses over the past few days as a result of Dorner's actions.
"The city mourns the deaths of Monica Quan, Keith Lawrence and our brave Riverside police officers," he said. "I also feel great sadness for the injuries suffered by my officers, the second Riverside officer and the two uninvolved citizens in Torrance."
Beck would not confirm anything about the current standoff in San Diego, in which a suspect matching the description of Dorner is barricaded in a hotel. He did, however, confirm that Dorner is "armed and extremely dangerous," with weapons including an assault rifle, and cautioned the public not to approach him if they see him, but rather to call 9-1-1 or their local police department.
When asked if Dorner knows what he's doing, Beck replied, "Of course he knows what he’s doing; we trained him."
Dorner then said that if he could issue a message to Dorner, it would be to turn himself in.
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"This has gone far enough," he said. "Nobody else needs to die."
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