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Handout / Reuters
A frame grab from KNBC4 TV aerial footage shows smoke and fire from a cabin where fugitive former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner is believed to be barricaded in Big Bear, California February 12, 2013. Dorner exchanged gunfire on Tuesday with San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles after he broke into a home, tied up a couple and stole their pickup truck, authorities said.
Investigators discovered charred human remains late Tuesday within a torched California mountain cabin where police sources say ex-cop Christopher Dorner barricaded himself after a deadly shootout with sheriff’s deputies.
In a statement, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said that identification would be attempted "through forensic means."
Earlier, San Bernardino Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said authorities believed the suspect was still inside the cabin when the inferno began.
Gunfire erupted during the hunt for former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, who was charged with murder on Monday. The unfolding drama brought officers to a cabin in the mountains where the suspect was barricaded inside. NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.
The hulking former lawman declared war on the LAPD in an online manifesto because he was fired four years ago. Accused of killing three people between Feb. 3 and Feb. 7, he was the target of the biggest manhunt in Los Angeles history.
A day of dramatic and tragic developments began after police received a report around 12:22 p.m. Tuesday that someone fitting Dorner’s description had stolen a car from a home near the ski resort area of Big Bear, police said.
The car owner told NBCLosAngeles.com that a man who looked like Dorner came up to him with a rifle and demanded his pickup, and let him take his dogs out of the back before he fled.
A ground and air search ensued, and authorities located the pickup on Highway 38.
A spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Game said one of its wardens was the “very first person to spot Mr. Dorner … They both got out of the vehicles and exchanged gunfire.”
Check out more coverage on NBCLosAngeles.com
The warden’s truck was riddled with bullets but he was not hurt, agency spokesman Andrew Hughan told NBCLosAngeles.com.
Dorner, who was already wanted for three slayings linked to a revenge-fueled rampage, “fled into the forest and barricaded himself inside a cabin,” the San Bernardino Sheriff’s office said in a statement. “A short time later there was an exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and the suspect.”
Two deputies were shot and taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where Sheriff John McMahon later confirmed one had died and one was in surgery. Their names were not released.
No more shots were fired from inside the cabin in Angelus Oaks before police demanded Dorner surrender and began preparing to storm the structure, a sheriff’s spokeswoman said.
A source close to the probe told NBCLosAngeles.com that deputies broke the cabin windows, fired tear gas inside and began breaking down walls with an armored personnel carrier.
The deputies then heard a single gunshot, and soon after flames and smoke could be seen, the source said.
Shortly before 7 p.m. local time, Villaraigosa told Telemundo "it's over," but declined to elaborate.
Hundreds of investigators had spent a week searching for Dorner, who is accused of killing a retired captain’s daughter and her fiancé on Feb. 3 and a police officer on Feb. 7.
His burned-out truck, a Nissan Titan, was found in Big Bear last week and scores of officers have been combing the mountain, going door-to-door to see if they could find signs of forced entry.
At an afternoon press conference, LAPD commander Smith had a message for Dorner: “Enough is enough. It’s time to turn yourself in.”
“Everyone is very hopeful that this thing ends without any further bloodshed,” Smith said. “The best thing for him now would be to surrender … and he can face the criminal justice system.”
Dorner, an ex-cop and Navy reservist detailed his plans and hit list in an online manifesto — a 11,000-word declaration of war against the LAPD in which he makes it clear he would not be taken alive.
“Self Preservation is no longer important to me,” he wrote. “I do not fear death as I died long ago on 1/2/09.”
That’s the date that Dorner got his walking papers from the LAPD after being fired for making a false statement about an officer he accused of brutalizing a suspect.
Police say Dorner exacted revenge on the lawyer who represented him at the internal review, retired captain Randy Quan, by gunning down his daughter, Monica Quan, 28, and her boyfriend, Keith Lawrence, 27, in their car as they returned home to Irvine, Calif., after the Super Bowl.
Four days later, authorities said, Dorner ambushed police officers who were guarding other potential targets in Riverside and Corona, Calif., killing one of them.
LAPD officials said earlier Tuesday they were sifting through 1,000 clues and, including a video that may show the suspect stocking up on scuba gear before the killing spree.
Police confirmed they were even looking into the possibility Dorner had fled to Mexico — the destination he mentioned when he tried to steal a boat in San Diego last Wednesday.
Among the newest leads, a video that was posted on TMZ that appears to show Dorner purchasing scuba equipment at Sport Chalet in Torrance, Calif., on Feb. 1. Neiman said police had not nailed down if it was Dorner and could not say why he would be buying underwater gear.
A criminal complaint filed in federal court last week also revealed that investigators have been tracking an associate of Dorner — someone with the initials J.Y. — whose family has property not far from where Dorner's vehicle was abandoned and torched.
“We will leave no stone unturned to find out if someone was assisting this man in his terrible crimes and eluding capture,” Smith said.
This story was originally published on Tue Feb 12, 2013 6:37 PM EST
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In the meantime Sheen is getting free 24 hour surveillance at his home!
I know of a cop in wisconsin that tows cars if a person does not have a DL.The person next to the driver will but the cop wont let that person drive.The county cops just give the person a ticket then let them get a valid driver.This cop also takes his car and truck to said tower for repairs.Sound honest.LOL
He can run but he cannot hide, this world is too small.......the FBI & LAPD only need to get it right once and laser-in .........
Take this check to the bank.......even more sure take this info as "The Gospel".
godblessamerica u sound like one of those self righteous know it all don't practice what you preach bible thumpers
let me tell you this HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE sounds to me like your casting stones
and judging i hope that you are judged about your comment
the gospel geez
oh lord please save me from your followers
In my view, the good cops to bad cops ratio is 90% bad/10% good and by no means will the 10% turn on the 90%, if they know what's good for them. If and when the citizens of this once great nation get tired of having their b***hole bored out by our extortionist government and that government giving supreme rights of power to the corrupt police state that exist, maybe just maybe we'll be a unified country again. But, it's not going to happen without unimaginable blood shed. I think of situations like this as a pin hole in the levy. Throughout history, over and over again, tyrannical government fear one thing and one thing only and that is.... an angry mob coming to take them to their creator. I surely wish it during my lifetime. But, with the country of selfish, whining, pussy, non-working, couch ridden citizens we have become, I'm afraid at least the next 3 or 4 generations are going to be way on the short end of the $hit stick. I don't know about the rest of you, but every time I hear the term "suspended with or without pay" concerning a person's death while in custody, handcuffed or unarmed, I want to puke and take up arms. For all you corrupt government sympathizers and cop devouts, I don't give a damn what you think of me. if you're a lying, corrupt, POS cop or politician, I want you dead and I mean that from the bottom of your plot!! BTW, if the newspaper ladies where traveling toward the officers in question, how was the tailgate riddled with bullet holes? Come on all you physics whizzes, how? There are 4 groups of civilian people to kill during a revolution in the U.S. #1 politicians #2 police #3 Street gangs and #4 known government sympathizers. All indicators point towards the military splitting 50/50 and one half going with the civilian sect. Kind of makes "divide and conquer" a 2-way street!"Happy future hunting"!! "You might as well enjoy the ride"!!
i hope he get away or kill himself i rather that than they kill him
Warning, stay out of the water.
His tactics are very reminiscent of an insurgent or Indian war-fighting, ninja like savvy so far.
Just makes me wonder if I could be so discreet, calculating, lethal and sucessful up to this point.
He's made it pass the First 48!
Some of you people are down right scary. Do you really hero worship someone that killed a innocent girl?
If Dorner is correct and the LAPD brass including the girls father took away his "life" by ruining his career he just took the ultimate revenge . I dont understand why a Police Capt would be Dorners lawyer , does that not mean an automatic conflict of interest.
Yeah just like some of you people worship George Zimmerman for killing an innocent blakc kid.......Think about it. I'll wait.............................................................................................................
I agree with the two comments above that is all :)
i hope hes hiding to come back for round #2 in the mean time lets go rob a L.A. bank
I was in the Navy I feel bad for LAPD they have no ideal as to what they are up against
How do they know he didn`t pay someone to take his truck up there and torch it,, he may not even be where there looking !!!!!!!
Now you get it. Too bad this probably didn't cross the police's mind but they still have to go where the leads lead them too, good or bad.
I don't see anyway but bad that this can end. The attack on the lady newspaper carries, million dollar reward,
charges being filed leaves me convinced they have no intention of taking him alive. Forcing him to fight back.
When he killed those people, he crossed the line. Point of no return. Still, I would like to know what he has to say and that he will be taken alive.
I cannot condone anyone killing another person but I can at least question why a $1 million dollar reward for a cop killer funded by private organizations? But why we don't see the same effort for a child abduction? Serial killer? Is it because of the potential risk Dorner has to the LAPD on exposing unfair practices? Or is a cop's life worth more than yours or your kids? Makes you wonder. Also the LAPD shooting up two trucks really has taken the term shoot first ask questions later to another level. It is a shame how Dorner is making LAPD look right now.
verry good point
Absolutely right!
I don't trust the LAPD and hope this all comes out as Mr. Donner claims. These racist cops have been abusing power and authority for way too long!!!
he'll be caught in mexico trying to get to south america within a month
Scuba tanks and flight training. If he is as well trained as they say I'd be checking the cargo hold of "UPS" / "FEDEX" type cargo planes heading northeast. Small crew, easily overpowered, proven terrorist weapon.
He's attacking individuals, not skyscrappers. You must work at the CIA with such keen deductive powers.
Sorry my bad, thought the LA Police department was in a large building. Guess I've been watching too many Hollywood movies (lol).
No, my badd. Flying a plane into the LAPD. I'm humbled and impressed.
He may have paid someone to take his truck up there and torch it, while he goes the other way !!
I live in La Palma and have nothing against him. If you live in the So. Cal. area you know the cops are not really your friends here. They have killed 100's if not 1000's of innocent civilians and very-very few ever go thru the legal system. Kelly Thomas was one that they are still trying to get out of even when the evidence is overwhelming they murdered him.
Law Enforcement (???), have shooting review boards that clear these criminal cops. There UNIONS are nothing but Mafia style organizations. They say you will play ball our way or we will put you out of office or a job. They have ruined many public officials jobs. It is "LEGAL" for cops to LIE, ASSUALT, Etc. ALL under the authority of the badge. When we take away "ALL" there under the color of badge authority, maybe we can all breath a little easier. We need each city in this country to have shooting or wrong doings against cops under there authority with citizens (not city officials) reviewing them and the UNIONS pushed aside. No more on paid leave of absences for cops the do wrong doing either. If we have a job and are accused of something wrong we don't get paid leave of absences. We are let go and if nothing is wrtong we get back pay. The same should apply to them.
We will never get any truthful answers from LAPD (Beck). They are reopening the Dohner investigation but it's a dog and pony show. They all go by an illegal code of silence and that is what we will get.
I hope Dohner did go to Mexico, they will not send him back under death. LAPD will send or pay the Cartel to Murder him though.
Police could be setting him up to cover up something alot bigger. Anyone can post anything on another person's facebook.
I think it's about time the FBI investigates the LA. Police, and if they are scum, try them and throw them in prison... or worse.
COME-ON, the FBI investigating the LAPD! How many times have they done that??? Law Enforcement have each others backs and are nothing but "Organized Crime".
The only way to get rid of a crooked cop is to kill them by another crooked cop! We need more Dorners...
It's all horrible! all I've got!
Terrible times we're living in!
Most Cops do abuse their power at some point. I also agree that the reporting on this story has not covered the mistakes the police have made shooting into a vehicle just because it looked like his. Their solution of shooting him on site says a lot about the police. Innocent until proven guilty dissappered a long time ago. I myself have had a bad experience with police not in LA but Florida when I had done nothing wrong. I was disrespected in front of a lot of people by police and since then I have no respect for any police. They need to check themselves and their actions if they want to regain respect and quit abusing their power.
Lots of mixed-race people in Mexico and the rest of Central and South America. A little change in hair, clothing and body language, and he's good to go. But he didn't.
Agreed! Dohner is a military expert. He is probably fasting right now to slim down and be able to change appearance.
@ tmunny 22.....well thats alot of fasting.
How many unsolved crimes are there is LA in any given year? Clouseau and Dreyfus are obviously leading the investigation along with the Keystone Kops.
He isn't where you are looking for him, He is northeast hiding in a building.
Bet he is in Mexico heck as porous as the border is he probably scuba dived across the river now he's laying around having a good time I bet he comes back and forth a few times to boot ! Oh wait nappy said the border is safe scratch that !