Posted on 07/22/2015 1:01:58 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A person of interest was being treated for gunshot wounds, law enforcement sources said.
A traffic stop ended in bloodshed early Wednesday morning when a Hayward police officer was fatally shot, according to police. A statement by the Hayward Police Department identified the fallen officer as 48-year-old Sergeant Scott Lunger.
Speaking at a press conference, Acting Chief Mark Knoller said: "[Scott] was always out there, eager to get involved. He was engaged in the community."
Knoller deemed Lunger's death a "tremendous loss" and Wednesday a "dark day for the community of Hayward, the Hayward Police Department, the family of [the] department and the men and women of law enforcement."
The shooting occurred at 3:14 a.m. in the vicinity of Myrtle and Lion streets, police said.
Lunger stopped a vehicle whose driver was "observed driving erratically," police said. But when he got out of his car and approached the driver's side of the vehicle, its occupant opened fire without warning, they added.
A second officer, who was present at the scene and did not sustain injuries, returned fire. But, the suspect fled, police said.
Police also said that the suspect vehicle, believed to be a white GMC pickup truck, was later recovered in Oakland. Abandoned at an intersection, the car was reportedly riddled with bullet holes on the driver's side door.
Based on information found in the vehicle, the police department has identified a "person of interest" who is "secure" and doesn't "pose a threat to the community," Knoller said. No arrests have been made at this time, he said, adding that police are currently not searching for other suspects.
Police sources told NBC Bay Area that the person of interest is being treated for gunshot wounds at a local hospital. Citing the active investigation, which is in its early — and most "crucial" — stage, Knoller declined to furnish additional details. Providing information prematurely could "jeapordize" ongoing police work, he said.
But Knoller didn't hold back when talking about Lunger.
He said the 15-year veteran who was promoted to sergeant in 2009 was "well liked" and "well respected" — in short, an "ideal" police officer. The pair were "close [friends]," Knoller said, noting that Lunger was an "accomplished" member of the police department's gang and SWAT teams, and also helped train young police officers.
There was an emotional procession outside Hayward City Hall following the shooting death of Hayward Police Sergeant Scott Lunger, Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
"Scott loved this job," Knoller said. "He did it eagerly. It is a tragedy that this has happened, that someone has done this. … The department is devastated but we are pulling together and we will get through this."
The California Highway Patrol, Alameda County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office, and San Jose, San Leandro and Union City police departments are assisting Hayward police.
Thanking all those who have come forward to support the department, Knoller said the "outpouring is overwhelming." Earlier in the day, Lieutenant Eric Krimm deemed the shooting "devastating to the officers involved and to the community."
“No officer comes to work wanting to be involved in something like that so [officer-involved shootings are] very difficult,” he noted. “They’re difficult for those involved, they’re difficult for the families, they’re difficult for the communities.” According to the Hayward police department's "Officer Down Memorial Page," three officers have been killed in the line of duty — most recently in 1987.
"Unfortunately, a police officer’s job is very dangerous and as we can see today ... there's nothing routine about what our officers do," Knoller said. "There are times [when] they have no idea who they’re stopping … Tragedy happens immediately and without warning." NBC Bay Area's chopper showed heavy police presence at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley where Lunger was taken. Law enforcement officers saluted as a casket carrying the slain officer's body was loaded into a vehicle.
On Wednesday, news of Lunger's death rocked Bay Area's law enforcement agencies.
Captain Christopher Sherry, commander of the CHP in San Francisco, wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts and Prayers are with the Hayward PD. This is a very sad day for all law enforcement. #GodSpeed"
Brewer Makes Beer Out of Live Lobsters, Sea Salt Mountain View police echoed the same sentiment.
"We mourn with our brothers + sisters of the HaywardPD + family of the fallen," they tweeted. "Rest peacefully Sgt. Scott Lunger." NBC Bay Area's Stephanie Chuang, Bob Redell and Shawn Murphy contributed to this report.
Uh huh.
You won't hear any overused cracks about the Amish from me.
hmmm Oakland.....hmmmm
likely as not a “son of Obama”
Oh, you mean THIS Oakland. . .right?
http://www.appalachianhistory.net/2014/11/old-order-amish.html
;-)
May God rest officer Lunger’s brave, strong soul.
#WhiteTrucksMatter.
Rest in peace American hero. Prayers for his family and friends.
a white Amish son of Obama?
Hayward is a scary place. I work there.
******
Hayward: Why is Hayward so scary? What kind of place is it?
I live a long way from California, so I don't know anything about Hayward.
Tell me the truth: does California have a serious illegal immigration problem? Thanks.
Just wondering: Is there any place in California that is NOT scary?
It seems to me that California has a lot of scary places, if I am to believe all the stories I have read about California the last few years. Thanks.
Do you work for the PD? I know several HPD officers. Hayward is a sanctuary city, wonder if the scumbag is a dreamer. RIP
No, I do not work in law enforcement.
Hayward is not a sanctuary city. Surrounded by them though.
California Sanctuary cities:
Bell Gardens, CA
City of Industry, CA
City of Commerce, CA
Coachella, CA (Added 7-23-12, Source: La Voz de Aztlan. Passed in 2006 and existence supported by quotes in city’s 9-12-07 council meeting minutes.)
Cypress, CA
Davis CA
Downey, CA
Fresno, CA (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Greenfield, CA (Added 7-23-12, Source: Battle at the ballot box in Greenfield, Monterey County, The Herald, 6-1-12)
Lakewood, CA
Los Angeles, CA (Congressional Research Service)
Long Beach, CA
Lynwood, CA
Maywood, CA
Montebello, CA
National City, CA
Norwalk, CA
Oakland, CA (Added 8-27-07. Source: 4/25/07 story by KCBS 740 AM. Link here.)
Paramount, CA
Pico Rivera, CA
Richmond, CA (Added 11-5-09. Sources: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin’s campaign website from 2004, 2006)
So. Gate, CA
San Bernardino, Ca. (Added 6/7/07, reader submitted / 9/5/08 Listing disputed by the city administration* See addl.notes)
San Diego, CA Sources: Congressional Research Service; SDPD chief endorses constoversial immigration bill, Fox-TV 5, 9-2-13
Santa Clara County, CA (Added 11-29-10, source: Forced into Immigration Enforcement, A County Considers Plan B, 10-21-10, Huffington Post.)
Santa Cruz, CA (Added 5/30/07, documented by KSBW news)
San Francisco, CA (Congressional Research Service)
San Jose, CA (6/13/07 Congressional Research Service)
Santa Maria, CA (11-18-08 Submitted research from local activist/ Listing disputed by the city administration)
Sonoma County, CA (Congressional Research Service)
Vernon, CA
Watsonville, CA (Added 5/30/07, documented by KSBW news)
Wilmington, CA
Yes, about 3/4 of the state which is rural and is mostly conservative. Very low crime in my area, only three murders here in the last 65 years. No armed robberies, no street crime, very few burglaries, just folks going about their own business.
I also live near Hayward and it is a combination of a cut-across city from San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Castro Valley and also is a feeder to the San Mateo Bridge.
Downtown is a bunch of giant streets in all directions and going south to Tennyson is a bad idea. Hayward is also the name of a giant faultline.
I like Buffalo Bill’s for their beers, but that’s about it.
Not a fan.
Since none of those cities border Hayward, and only a few are close...it’s hardly “surrounded” by sanctuary cities.
Hayward is one of the last...”proactive” police depts in the area, despite their dipsh— city council and police chief.
Sarcasm....in terms of AMISH
son of obama....very likely, given the demographics of the crime rate in the “East Bay”..and particularly those of of Oakland.
Earthquake capital of the US for starters.
Mission Viejo has low crime, as does Foster City.
Other than that, CA scares me.
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