Off-duty Monterey Park police officer fatally shot in Downey

An off-duty Monterey Park Police Department was shot and killed in Downey on Monday.

The shooting was reported about 3:25 p.m. in a parking lot at the Downey Landing retail center in the 12700 block of Lakewood Boulevard. The gunshot victim was found and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release from the Downey Police Department.

The victim was identified as an off-duty officer of the Monterey Park Police Department, Downey police said. The victim’s name was not immediately released.

During an evening news conference, Monterey Park Police Chief Kelly Gordon said the department is cooperating with Downey Police and is asking for justice for the fallen officer.

“The Monterey Park Police Department is in mourning tonight,” Gordon said.

Downey police said during the news conference they were following up on leads. No arrests were immediately announced.

First-responders were seen in the parking lot pumping the chest of a man lying unmoving on the ground next to a black coupe with tinted windows. The rear end of the car appeared to have struck the rear left corner of van that was in one of the lot’s parking spaces, as seen in aerial footage broadcast by CBS2. Downey police taped off the area and set up a canopy at the scene of the shooting as they searched the area for clues.

After the shooting, dozens of shoppers and neighbors hovered outside the police tape in the shopping center parking lot. Part of the retail center was closed for the investigation.

Events leading up to the shooting were under investigation, and no suspect description was available.

The shooting took place in the parking lot of a gym, which was temporarily closed due to the investigation, said Capt. Scott Loughner, spokesman for the Downey Police Department. Downey police officers escorted gym goers away from the location after the shooting, Loughner said.

The Monterey Park Police Department is a small one, consisting of 76 sworn officers, Gordon said. The shooting was “a tragedy” for both the officer’s family as well as the department, she said.

“We have worked very hard to create a culture in our department to take care of each other,” Gordon said.

LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said on social media: “My thoughts are with the family of the off-duty Monterey Park Police Department officer tragically killed in today’s shooting. May his soul Rest in Peace.”

Anyone with additional information was encouraged to call Detective Ron Gee at 562-904-2331.

City News Service contributed to this story.

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