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 ...
A job well-done in a terribly dangerous situation. Whew...
Damnit.
My comment is in regards to if you are already shot, don't give up. There are people who quit, died, gave up, when shot because they think if you get shot you are supposed to die.
They die of shock when they have been shot in the forearm and no major blood vessel has been hit.
That's your brain telling you that you're supposed to die if you get shot, so you die.
I wouldn't recommend the THIS course of action.
Please see my reply 23 for clarification.
One little gangbanger who won't be bangin' anymore...
My sentiments exactly.
You are correct in every word! Never give up!
Best probation a gang member can get IMHO......
Thank the Lord the officer is going to be alright. Glad he was able to revoke that little bastard's birth certificate.
I just love a happy ending. No trials, no expensive legal procedures and incarceration. Just good old fashioned justice. Too bad the cop had to get shot. This turd should have been deported long before this.
Agree......almost a perfect feel good story cept for the crick in the officers neck.....
If uncle sam won't handle it at the border we are forced to handle it on our own porch. Gun up friends.....gonna get lots worse before it gets better.
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