Teen Arrested In Shooting Death Of CHP Officer (random cop killing)

KNBC Chanel 4 Website ^ | 2:57 pm PDT April 22, 2004 | AP

[Smogger]

LOS ANGELES -- An arrest has been made in the shooting death of a California Highway Patrol officer outside the Pomona courthouse.

Images From Shooting Scene

The announcement was made during a press conference Thursday morning.

Thomas Steiner was shot three times Wednesday afternoon while standing in front of the Pomona South Courthouse. He was 35 years old.

With tears in his eyes, Pomona Police Chief James Lewis told a news conference a 16-year-old juvenile was taken into custody early Thursday in Pomona.

Lewis says the suspect was looking to kill a police officer.

"There is no indication at all that this was anything but random as far as the CHP officer. That clearly he was looking to kill someone in a police uniform," Lewis said.

He says the young man being held splits his residency between Pomona and Fontana.

After the arrest, police obtained a search warrant for the suspect's father's Fontana home. No details were released on what they were looking for or what was found.

Police say information from witnesses helped officers make an arrest.

[Smogger]

I noticed no one posted the article about the CHP officer murdered outside the Superior Court Building in Pomona, CA, yesterday. He was 201st CHP officer killed in the line of duty. Pomona has only had one officer killed in the line of duty in 116 years.

[cmsgop]

Sad, Prayers ......

[randog]

Lewis says the suspect was looking to kill a police officer.

Why would a 16 y.o. do this? Will this give him some kind of juice in prison?

[Mr. Mojo]

He'll get juice alright, one way or another.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Actually this was already posted here.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1122247/posts

An interesting thread I might add.

[FITZ]

I wouldn't be surprised if this kid wasn't impressed with the macho swagger of the drug lords and those who promote that whole culture. You hear a lot of popping sounds in some of the popular foreign music that is played here --- it all represents the murder of our law enforcement agents.

[Vision]

That's legal in California isn't it?

[Cate]

This is so disgusting. Why pick a police officer? Why pick anyone? 16 yr olds should be thinking about something a lot more pleasurable than shooting someone.

[kcamtx]

Don't be ridiculous.........Geroge Bush caused this!!!!!!

[OregonRancher]

I am litterally shocked. What is our country turning into? God help us..

[hole_n_one]

Why would a 16 y.o. do this?

It's being speculated that it was a requirement of a gang membership initiation.

Try him.....fry him.

[101viking]

I heard on the local news that it was likely part of a gang initiation or for rank in a gang he was already in. To me this is domestic terrorism and should be dealt with accordingly.

[Joe Hadenuf]

That's legal in California isn't it?

Only someone from somewhere like Maryland could make a statement this damn stupid.

[Vision]

I thought I read the Ninth Circuit found punishing murder unconstitutional?

[annyokie]

That's legal in California isn't it?
Only someone from somewhere like Maryland could make a statement this damn stupid.


No kidding. I have many relatives in Law Enforcement and this makes me want to engage in a little vigilante justice.

[ConservativeNewsNetwork]

In cases like this the responding officers should fire two warning shots to the head then shoot to kill.

I hope this punk fries.

[zoyd]

It's being speculated that it was a requirement of a gang membership initiation.

Brilliant initiation plan... getting every LEO in California looking for you... I'm guessing the 'leaders' of this gang aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.

[FITZ]

Some group is probably writing a corrido about this young man's heroics right now. Besides he won't have to go to prison because of his age --- won't they let him go in 2 or less years when he turns 18?

[FITZ]

Remember --- he's only a 16 year old child and we tend to let juveniles --- especially one whose lawyers will prove he led an unprivileged life ---- off in just a couple years. He'll be a hero to his barrio when he gets out of the detention center.

[101viking]

In California he can be tried as an adult at 16, but no death penalty. There was a case today where a 16 year old girl who helped her borfriend murder his family got life without parole.