Suspect charged with murder in California shooting that killed 2, including police officer
A man has been charged in connection with the shootings that killed a Southern California police officer and another man, and wounded a second officer over the weekend, prosecutors said.
Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, 22, was charged on June 3 with two counts of murder with special circumstances for the death of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros and Darius Wong, a 43-year-old father of two from Hacienda Heights, authorities said. Medina-Berumen was also charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of an assault weapon.
Medina-Berumen faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole if he is convicted on all charges, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office will decide on a later date whether to pursue the death penalty.
Authorities accused Medina-Berumen of opening fire at Riveros on the night of May 31 after officers responded to a call of shots fired in a neighborhood in Baldwin Park, a city located about 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The district attorney's office alleged that Medina-Berumen also shot and killed Wong, who had just parked his car.
"The filing of charges in the tragic murders of Officer Samuel Riveros and an innocent victim brings us one step closer to justice," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said in a statement. "This cowardly and unprovoked act of violence against a brave and dedicated public servant is absolutely unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with the family of Officer Riveros, the Baldwin Park Police Department and the entire law enforcement community as we mourn."
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
What happened in the Baldwin Park shooting?
At a June 3 news conference announcing the charges, Luna said the Baldwin Police Department received a report at about 7:12 p.m. local time of a man armed with a rifle who had opened fire on the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue. The report was updated as officers arrived at the scene, stating that an unresponsive person was lying on the sidewalk, according to Luna.
The person was "ultimately, unfortunately" identified as Wong, who sustained fatal gunshot wounds, Luna said. Wong had parked his car on the street after dropping off his two daughters, wife, and sister-in-law at a party in the area, according to a GoFundMe page created to help cover funeral costs and family expenses.
Officers Anthony Pimentel and Alfredo Leal were the first to arrive at the scene and were immediately fired upon by Medina-Berumen, according to Luna. The sheriff said investigators believe Pimentel was injured by glass shards after a bullet hit his patrol vehicle's window.
Riveros arrived shortly after and was struck and killed by the suspect's gunfire, according to Luna. Additional officers responded to the scene, and a second officer-involved shooting occurred with the suspect.
"(Riveros) was entering an open shooting environment when he decided to put the safety of his community ahead of his own safety," Hochman said during the news conference. "When the bullets were flying, he ran into those bullets to try and keep his community safe, and in doing so, he made the ultimate sacrifice of his life."
Luna said Medina-Berumen sustained gunshot wounds in the shooting and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. As of June 3, he remained hospitalized in stable condition.
An AR-15-style weapon with two high-capacity magazines was recovered at the scene, according to Luna. Hochman said about 40 to 60 expended casings were also discovered at the scene.
Victims remembered by the Los Angeles community
Tributes poured in over the weekend as local officials and community members across Los Angeles County mourned the loss of Riveros and Wong.
Riveros, 35, was from Pasadena and earned a degree in criminology, law, and society from the University of California, Irvine, according to a news release from Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis. He also played lacrosse and mentored youth through the Criminology Outreach Program at the school.
Riveros joined the Baldwin Park Police Department in 2016, later served on the SWAT team, and then became a field training officer in 2024, according to the news release. The news release states that Riveros was known for his "energy, leadership, and dedication to public service."
He was a "devoted Dodgers fan and an avid snowboarder," according to the news release. Riveros is survived by his mother and sister.
Solis said she requested that all county flags be lowered to half-staff at county facilities until the end of the day of Riveros’ scheduled funeral service. Local television station KTLA reported that a procession led by 27 motorcycle officers was held on June 3 in honor of Riveros.
"Yesterday, I visited Baldwin Park, where a growing community memorial now honors Officer Riveros. Surrounded by candles, flowers, and handwritten messages, I witnessed the deep grief and respect shared by residents for a man who gave his life in service to their safety," Solis said in a statement on June 3. "My thoughts remain with his family, fellow officers and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. His loss is deeply felt not just by his family and colleagues, but by the entire Baldwin Park community."
According to the GoFundMe page created by Wong's brother, Wong was described as a "kind soul" and a "hardworking man who cared deeply for his family." Wong leaves behind a wife and two daughters, ages 3 and 5, the page states.
"His passion for helping others extended beyond his own family," the page states. "He dedicated himself to show up to work everyday at Choc Orange Hospital."