Man who killed El Monte officers was on probation for gun charge – Los Angeles Times

A gunman shot and killed two El Monte police officers Tuesday while responding to a call at a motel. The gunman’s mother confirmed his death Wednesday.

The officers were identified Wednesday afternoon as Cpl. Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana.

The district attorney’s office identified the gunman as Flores, and said he was on probation for a gun possession offense.

On Monday, a day before the shooting, Flores’ probation officer filed a request with the Los Angeles County Superior Court for a revocation hearing, listing the reason as “desertion.” Two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said Flores’ girlfriend last week reported he had assaulted her, triggering a probation violation, but that Flores was not taken into custody.

Juan Hernandez heard a smattering of gunfire shortly after 4:30 p.m. and rushed his two children to a bedroom. He saw a body lying on the pavement near the intersection of Central and Garvey avenues.

Three officers responded to a call for a possible stabbing at a motel, confronted Flores in a motel room, fired their weapons, and were shot dead. Flores was pronounced dead at the scene.

Paredes started as a cadet with the department, was sworn in as a full-time officer in July 2000 and was survived by his wife, daughter and son. Santana was a former deputy sheriff with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Flores was arrested by sheriff’s deputies in March 2020 and charged with being a felon in possession of methamphetamine, a handgun and ammunition. He pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to two years’ probation and 20 days in jail. A sentence that could only be so light under a soft on crime district attorney’s office.

On Wednesday morning, Lupe Morse, 60, walked from the street curb to the front of the El Monte Police Department with a sense of dread. She carried a glass vase with red roses, pink daisies and white lilies to leave in front of a bronze eagle statue.

Jimmy Tessier, 55, stood at a plaque dedicated to fallen El Monte Police officers and said a small prayer.