Posted on 04/25/2005 8:05:01 AM PDT by SmithL
A Pittsburg police officer shot twice Saturday evening remained on life support and in critical condition Sunday.
The officer, 36-year-old Larry Lasater of Pacheco, suffered two gunshot wounds as he chased two robbery suspects on the Delta De Anza trail at about 6 p.m. near Belle Drive and Desrys Boulevard.
Pittsburg police Capt. William Zbacnik identified the man who allegedly shot Lasater as 18-year-old Alexander Rashad Hamilton of Antioch. The other robbery suspect's identity was withheld because he is 17.
The Saturday shooting occurred after two armed, masked men entered a Raley's supermarket on Buchanan Road and robbed the store as well as a Wells Fargo bank branch inside. The robbers then drove away in a car, lost control and crashed.
Police pursued two men on foot.
According to Zbacnik, Lasater saw or heard the shooting suspect hiding in some bushes along the trail. When he called for the man to come out, he was fired at multiple times and hit twice. Lasater was wearing a bullet-resistant vest.
Other officers returned fire but did not hit Hamilton, who then surrendered. A semiautomatic handgun was reportedly found in the suspect's possession. Antioch police arrested the other suspect a short distance away. Although witnesses reported seeing two weapons during the robbery, the juvenile did not possess a weapon when he was arrested, according to police.
Zbacnik said Lasater joined the force in September 2002. He refused to say where the officer was hit. He did say Lasater underwent hours of surgery at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he remains. Zbacnik said many Pittsburg officers, including Police Chief Aaron Baker, were at the hospital Sunday offering support to Lasater's family, including Lasater's wife who is seven-months pregnant.
Zbacnik called the shooting a "tremendous blow" to the department and said the atmosphere around the station was "difficult to describe."
Sunday afternoon, officers from several agencies -- including Danville, Antioch, Pittsburg and the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office -- still were canvassing the Delta De Anza trail.
Zbacnik said Hamilton has had other run-ins with Pittsburg and Antioch police. He declined to give specifics.
Both Hamilton and the juvenile have been charged with attempted murder and robbery, according to police.
The shooting is the second involving a Pittsburg police officer in the past two years. In 2003, Inspector Ray Giacomelli was killed while investigating a homicide. He was the first Pittsburg officer killed in the line of duty since 1935.
"We all said at that time, we never wanted to go through this again," said a solemn Zbacnik.
The 17 year old won't face the death penalty if the officer doesn't make it. After all that 17 year piece of human filth is considered a more productive citizen than the police officer with a wife and child on the way, he's facing the death penalty for doing his job.
Is that the guy from PG County, MD?
No that's the guy from Provence RI who jumped out a third story window after shooting a detective with his own gun. he was a suspect in the stabbing of an 84 year old woman. In the back naturally. His family is charging Police Brutality.
I just heard on the radio that the family is making arrangements to donate his organs. Not a good sign.
Any more details or a link?
Prayers for this officer...Lord, please have Mercy on him...spare him. Allow him to be here for the child he and his wife are expecting! In Jesus' precious name...Amen
Blessings,
trussell
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No, not good at all
Prayers sent.
God bless and keep this officer and his family.
Prayers for the officer, his family and the medical personnel involved.
This cop killer's family will sue and collect big time. Alice in Wonderland time.
I join in prayer for this officer and his loved ones!
Prayers sent.
Dear God I ask humbly for you to bless and heal my brother. Provide comfort and strength to his wife and family to overcome this hardship whatever your will may be. St. Michael, watch over the Pittsburg Police Dept., guide them through this difficult time and protect them. Amen.
How come? They charge juveniles all the time.
17 year old murderers can not be sentenced to death because 5 liberal members of the US Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional because countries in Europe have laws against putting minors to death.
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