Posted on 07/06/2005 1:53:39 PM PDT by gubamyster
A Fontana police officer was shot and seriously wounded during a gunfight with a fugitive gang member late Monday night before he returned fire and killed the suspect, authorities said.
The officer, an 18-year police veteran and a member of the department's gang unit, was shot in the neck "an angel's whisper away from the carotid artery," said Fontana police spokeswoman Dawn Rowe.
He also was shot twice in the chest but was saved by his bulletproof vest. The officer, whose name was withheld for his protection because of evidence of the suspect's gang membership, remains hospitalized in stable condition, Rowe said.
The shooting occurred when the officer and his partner tried to stop Camilo Stuardo Morales, 26, of Ontario, who was riding a bicycle near the 16700 block of Holly Drive, she said.
When Morales failed to obey several commands to stop, he was caught by the officer on foot and the two began to fight, Rowe said.
Two of Morales' shots struck the officer in the breastplate of his bulletproof vest "in the heart area," and the third struck him in the neck, Rowe said.
The officer returned fire, killing Morales with "several" shots, she said.
Morales was convicted in 2002 of illegally possessing a police baton and participating in a criminal street gang in San Bernardino County, and he was on probation when he was shot.
San Bernardino County Deputy Dist. Atty. Karen Schmauss said Morales was an illegal immigrant from Mexico who allegedly had dual membership in Lynwood and Ontario gangs. Schmauss said Morales told his probation officer in 2002 that his gang nickname was "Sniper" or "Little Sniper."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
ping
At least this one didn't get to run to mexico and be protected by the gov't
Ping
If they knew he was an illegal, Why was this bastardo here?
Little Sniper has assumed room temperature.
Next?
He sounds like one tough man.
Well done officer.
Well done.
Little Sniper = Big Worm Food.
Good job Officer!
But don't you EVER take 3 bullets from any perp, ever again. We need good live cops like yourself, not polite dead ones.
The perp should have been dead before he got off any shots, better get out to the range buddy.
Never give up. Getting shot by a handgun, outside of a few obvious spots on your body, is a survivable event.
Yeah, I'm wondering the same thing. An illegal alien, on probation, reporting to a probation officer, in the U.S.????
"Morales told his probation officer in 2002 that his gang nickname was "Sniper" or "Little Sniper."
Change that to "Little Corpse". That sounds much better
Of course, you are assuming that medical aid will arrive shortly.
An illegal alien on probation...
This should upset G.W. that one of his illegals has been killed. The F.B.I. will begin an investigation immediately to see if his civil rights were violated while he was attempting to murder a police officer.
Not that I am unhappy with the outcome but you've got to be kidding me. Unlawful possession of a police baton?
Good Job Officer! Here's wishes for a speedy and full recovery!
If this officer had just obeyed the Special Order No 40 this tragedy could have been avoided and that illegal would be alive today committing crimes Americans won't commit. /sarc
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.