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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
Leave a Comment:
He waited 4 years plus to in act revenge? This definitely sounds like a BS story. One designed to cover up some part of the truth. I think Dorner is long gone and will never be found. If he's as good as he appears to be, this might end up being the greatest escape mystery since DB Cooper.
For all the people making comments about the 'Corrupt' Police and how they just trample on everyone's right, do you also say that they are the only the Police and Military should have firearms? How can we protect ourselves from them if they have all the guns?
Just asking?
I agree POSTITNOTE....some idiots are now successfully brainwashed with this kind of behavior.....did you notice the ones that side with this @!$%# have 1 thing in common....they're freaks!
Northeast of where your are centered at.
If you don't lie, people won't stalk and kill you.
Dornerhero.com
Amen! the truth remains the same and a lie constantly evolves.
Bet he's down south and living it up. Just goes to show how secure our borders really are.
Just speculation. No one knows where this man is.
In the circle perimiter
looks like he may flee also
I here Dorner will be a guest at Obama,s state of the dis- union speech to night!!!!!!!!!! He is Obama,s new skeet shooting buddy!!!!!!!! and poster boy for Obama,s gun grab agenda?????????????
There's no difference between this guy and any other murder suspect or school shooter. Glorifying his actions will only create more workplace and school shootings. Thanks idiot and idiots.
Yes there is, and no it won't. Nice work though. You drink the water just fine.
Would like to see how much they are spending on this. Man hours, dollars, and a reward. at least they are keeping busy and not just ridin around like a bunch of juvenilles looking for trouble (actually they don't look for trouble, they wait for it to be finished and roll in like tough guys 10 -15 deep, accuse everyone of being a suspect and file a report)
something bigger than meets the eye . The FED'S need to get involved. He will only turn his self in to the FED's I think that's the only way he will not be killed on site . they trained him note he waited until he was discharged Honorably be for he started so he still has respect for the FED Government.
LAPD: U r wasting tax dollars for political and personal revenge. CA cannot afford all this public grandstanding.
True.
LAPD is corrupt. Why arn't the police that shot the two women or the ones that attacked the surfer in his truck in jail. That was plain and simple attempted murder. You are hunting for a large black man but you attack white people why? LAPD is so paranoid they couldn't find their own ass if they had their hand in their back pocket. The only way they will find him is if they accidentally bump into him. If they are this scared about one man what will happen if they are asked to confiscate guns and the public turns on them
They really stepped in their own stuff on that one. Just like Dorner wrote they would.
no time for doughnuts
I'll bet he's hiding out in some small Mexican town, drinking tequila, and watching this whole thing play out.
Anyone considered that those were NOT false accusations against the department and that the marked man has been Dorner? Justify what he's done, no, but isn't it sad that just knowing this is the LAPD that there's reason to wonder if there's not more to the story/
The LAPD is a boys club. No different than any police force in the nation. They didn't want him. He didn't fit the mold. They maybe didn't trust him or his abilities, so they canned his ass.. TOO FKN BAD! thats the way it goes. If he was a good cop, they would have suspended him for filing a false report. Thats what cops do when they protect each other, they get put on desk duty for a couple months. They don't get fired. He should have simply taken another career path, and moved on. he was an outcast. Are people thinking this guy was wronged so bad by being cut (as so many have in thier lives and careers) that somehow he is justified in murdering people? He got burned..litterally, Fk Him! Now he's dead, and thats a good thing.
Well, I guess this is it. Yes the poor boy was upset and he had every reason to be. The cop's are covering up a big mistake that will eventually come to light. It's a can of worms that will eventually result in some resignations from high up the ladder. Dorner, if he is a believer in the lord will come to terms with his sins. Thou shalt not kill! Killing out of anger and revenge is wrong! it's understandable that the poor fella was upset but to kill innocent people just to make a statement is wrong. I firmly believe he has or will end his own life because of his weakness and realization at the hoorible crime he has committed. He is now no better than the people he believes are responsible for his life falling apart. He will however have the last laugh and will forever keep LAPD on their toes looking over thier shoulders. Dorner will put a bullet to his head and his body will never be found. Therefore his mission has been accomplished. Not knowing what happened to him whether he's dead or alive will keep many people awake and on guard forever.
The canvass of his M.O. indicates he may kill himself in a way his body won't be found, thusly haunting his written targets well beyond his physical capacity.
I doubt it. Once they confirm the cowardly muddefkr is dead, nobody will even remember his name.
His name will be forgotten quicker than Mitt, whats his name?
Nobody remembers losers, and nobody fears a deadman.
Bye, bye, Christopher whatever......
"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.s"
Let's not say it too loud but the guy buying the gear has his name on the credit card for the purchase. And if the buyer paid cash for a scuba gear purchase, let's just agree among ourselves that it was Dorner. I've never done a day of this kind of work in my life but I'm willing to provide detective training for anyone on the LAPD in need of some help.
TMZ is probably used for more info than dicktectives can find!!
If I pin him, do I get the million, even if it is my subc. brain that tells you.
L.A.P.D = Last At Picking-up Dorner
"MOREJUSTICE" you are right....why is it the GOOD guy or the one who is trying to expose the dirty are always the ones who get @!$%# on!! However, what he did too is outrageously wrong and above that....so now he is at all those other policemens level....he stooped to their level and he is just as bad!!!
One wrong dont make it right....murder any way you look at it is wrong and injustice ....no one has the right to take another's life
I find it really interesting that almost every thoughtful comment on this story starts off with "though I dont condone his actions....BUT". The "but" is because Americans are starting to wake up. Our economy and infrastructure are in serious decline. We dont even rank in the top 10 countries to live in. As the disparity between rich and poor become greater you will see the government keeping us in-line with force. Electronic survalience and cameras on every corner. Our police forces are buying tanks and drones. Someday in the not so distant future you could be declared an enemy of the state with no legal discourse for voicing your anti-government opinion. I'm glad people aren't buying the hype any more. We live in a corrupt police state where the poor are funneled through the system and the laws are to protect the interest of the rich... If you can read the writing on the wall...Leave if you have the means. Who cares about immigration...let them have this shyt hole. I'm leaving.
Great news!Don't let the door hit you in the ass.
If the guy has half a brain, he's in Mexico by now.
We all know the LAPD has no plans of bringing this guy in alive. If he wants to make it out of this, he's going to have to walk into a public place, camera crew in tow, in his underwear with his hands in the air calmly saying "here I am, I don't have a weapon, please don't shoot me." And even then I'll be surprised if he makes it to a courtroom alive.