Crime
Baldwin Park Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty Identified as Samuel Riveros
Authorities have identified the Baldwin Park police officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty on Saturday night as Officer Samuel Riveros, a 9-year veteran of the department.
The deadly incident occurred during a shootout with a suspect in a residential neighborhood in Baldwin Park.
At approximately 7:21 p.m., officers responded to reports of a man firing a rifle in the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers immediately came under fire.
โWhen officers arrived, they were met by gunfire,โ Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated during a press conference late Saturday night.
Officer Riveros and a second officer were both struck by gunfire. The Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed that one officer was transported by ambulance, while the other was airlifted to USC Medical Center.
Despite life-saving efforts, Officer Riveros succumbed to his injuries. The second officer remains hospitalized in stable condition, surrounded by family.
Law enforcement returned fire during the exchange, striking the suspect. The individual was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
In a tragic development, a second victim was also discovered at the scene, suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.
Authorities believe the deceased individual may have been killed by the same suspect prior to the officersโ arrival.
The identity of the suspect has not yet been released, and investigators have not confirmed initial reports suggesting a second suspect may have been involved.
Surveillance footage from the area shows neighbors and partygoers fleeing in panic as gunfire erupted. One resident described the chaos as โunreal,โ noting his car windshield was shattered in the crossfire.
Large crowds gathered near the scene following the incident, and local streets were cordoned off as law enforcement continued their investigation.
Officers and deputies remained in the neighborhood through the night.
Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez described Officer Riveros as โan amazing man,โ adding that his death was โextremely tragicโ for the department and the community.
โI ask the community to remember the officers and deputies who go out there every day, making it safe for all of our families and residents,โ Chief Lopez said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriffโs Department is leading the ongoing investigation.
Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
AUSTIN, Texas โ Authorities have identified the three victims killed in Sunday morningโs mass shooting outside Bufordโs Bar on West Sixth Street in downtown Austin. The attack left three civilians dead and more than a dozen others injured before the gunman was fatally shot by police.
The victims have been identified as Savitha Shan, 21; Ryder Harrington, 19; and Jorge Pederson, 30.
According to the Austin Police Department, the suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire from his vehicle before exiting and continuing to shoot into a crowd in the busy entertainment district near the University of Texas campus.
Officers who were already stationed nearby responded within seconds and fatally shot the suspect.
Officials stated that the rapid response likely prevented additional casualties.
Four people are now confirmed dead, including the shooter.
At least 14 others were transported to area hospitals, with several initially listed in critical condition.
Savitha Shan, 21, was a student at the University of Texas at Austin, where she was known for her leadership and campus involvement. The university referred to her by her full name, Savitha Shanmugasundaram.
UT President Jim Davis addressed the campus community, stating:
โToday, it was confirmed that among those who lost their lives is one UT student. A child of loving parents. A loyal friend to many. A Longhorn preparing to change the world. It is devastating, and I know all of us are grieved by this horrible news and we will remember her.โ
Shan was active in Austinโs Tamil Sangam community and participated in Raas Roedo, which organizes traditional Gujarati folk dance events. She also founded an e-commerce venture known as Sunflakestickers.
Ryder Harrington, 19, had previously attended Texas Tech University and was a member of its Beta Theta Pi chapter. Loved ones described him as โa beloved son, brother, and friend whose kindness and presence touched countless lives.โ
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist his family with funeral and related expenses as they navigate what relatives describe as an unimaginable loss.
Jorge Pederson, 30, was identified as the third victim to succumb to his injuries. Authorities confirmed he had initially been listed in critical condition at a local hospital following the shooting. Pederson was described by Med City Fighting Championships as a โbeloved Minnesotan fighter.โ
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson urged the community to support one another during the period of mourning, stating:
โContinue to lift them and their families up. And Austin, keep reaching out to each other. Take care of each other. What we do for each other matters, especially in this time of mourning and grief.โ
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and its Joint Terrorism Task Force have joined the investigation. Officials confirmed the incident is being reviewed as a possible act of terrorism, though no final determination regarding motive has been formally announced.
Investigators reported that the suspect was wearing clothing bearing the phrase โProperty of Allahโ at the time of the attack.
A Quran was recovered from his vehicle, and additional reports indicate he was wearing an undershirt displaying imagery associated with the Iranian flag.
Authorities are examining whether ideological motivations or international developments may have influenced the attack.
Newly released video footage shows the moment the gunman began firing into the crowd, underscoring the speed and severity of the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue reviewing surveillance footage, digital evidence, and witness accounts.
City leaders have pledged to provide additional updates as confirmed information becomes available.
The Austin community continues to grieve the lives lost and support those injured in what has become one of the cityโs most devastating acts of violence in recent years.