The city of El Monte continues to mourn the loss of two police officers who were killed in a shooting earlier this week.
The candlelight vigil drew hundreds of visitors to the El Monte / Civic Center Police Department on Saturday night, while the community continues to mourn the death of Cap. Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana.
Two police officers were shot and killed while answering a call at a motel in El Monte on Tuesday afternoon.
The attacker, originally identified as Justin William Flores, was initially thought to have been shot and killed by police who responded, although the Associated Press reported on Saturday that he “died from a gunshot wound to the head and died a suicide,” according to the Department’s online records. for Los Angeles County Forensics and Coroners. ”
“The coroner’s records also show that Santana died from a gunshot wound to the head, and Paredes died from gunshot wounds to the head,” the Associated Press added.
Flores’ previous convictions for gun charges have led some to criticize the sentence handed down by Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office George Gascon.
A spokesman for the prosecutor’s office said that Flores’ sentence was “in accordance with the solutions of the cases for this type of crime, given its criminal history and the nature of the crime.”
Saturday’s vigil was held on the steps of the El Monte Civic Center located at 11333 Valley Blvd. starting at 7 p.m.
Police officials said a large turnout was expected and that Boulevard Vallei would be closed in the immediate vicinity of the vigil.
