Officials are investigating a “horrific” gun battle that left three California Highway Patrol officers injured — one fatally — in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 12.
Update: Father of accused killer says son may have been seeking suicide by cop
The officer who died was Andre Moye.
“Jennifer and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fellow officers grieving the tragic loss of Officer Moye, who will be remembered for his commitment to serving the Riverside County community and the people of California,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
https://twitter.com/CHPCommissioner/status/1161154823481282560
@FOXLA: Fallen CHP Officer Andre Moye, who died in the line of duty today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fellow officers. @GDLA pic.twitter.com/hwQ2He4DE9
— Hailey Winslow (@HaileyBWinslow) August 13, 2019
CHP Assistant Chief Scott Parker said an officer who pulled over a white pickup near a freeway was filling out impound paperwork when the driver pulled a rifle from the truck and began shooting.
Moye was fatally wounded but managed to call for help. CHP officers, Riverside police and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived and continued trading gunfire.
The suspect was fatally shot, Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback said.
At a news conference just past 10 p.m., officials said they had little information to share on the gunman and didn’t know his motive.
Diaz said seven law enforcement officers returned fire. Much else isn’t yet known, including the suspect’s motive, where he was going, or even what caused the traffic stop.
— Ryan Hagen (@rmhagen) August 13, 2019
“It was a long and horrific gun battle, and it resulted in a very extensive crime scene,” said Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz.
Update: Traffic still affected on Tuesday as investigation continues into deadly confrontation
At Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where at least one CHP officer was taken, dozens of law enforcement officers gathered with some embracing as they talked and grieved. A black and white patrol car was draped in dark plastic sheets — it wasn’t immediately known if that was a vehicle that transported an injured officer from the shooting scene.
At the hospital, officers assembled for a procession to accompany the fallen officer to the coroner’s office. The procession started just after 11 p.m.
Officers salute as their flag -draped comrade is borne out to a waiting white hearse pic.twitter.com/WTNWpshQ2P
— Richard K. De Atley (@RKDeAtley) August 13, 2019
The procession of motor officers, the hearse , and a long, long line of patrol cars, has left the hospital pic.twitter.com/nlB2ZF62Sz
— Richard K. De Atley (@RKDeAtley) August 13, 2019
No words to get in the way pic.twitter.com/0QgaMiPn51
— Richard K. De Atley (@RKDeAtley) August 13, 2019
Video of the incident can be seen here.
There was also heavy security at the hospital, with sheriff’s armored cars parked at either end of the hospital’s emergency entrance. Officials did not immediately explain why security was beefed up there.
Three CHP officer were shot one of them killed and one suspect shot and killed on Eastridge Avenue overpass over the 215 Freeway in Riverside on Monday, Aug 12, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) pic.twitter.com/eQXPiMTURo
— PE Photo (@PE_Photo) August 13, 2019
CHP motor officers among the dozens of law enforcement officers and deputies gathering at Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley. pic.twitter.com/bCnpALn1U7
— Richard K. De Atley (@RKDeAtley) August 13, 2019
Tragic News from @ChpRiverside – A #CHP Officer has been killed. Please join us in sparing a moment & a prayer in support for our #CHP partners. We are all devastated and grieve alongside them. pic.twitter.com/WOnINXUVfa
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) August 13, 2019
Hours after laying our own Officer Juan Diaz to rest, there has been another horrific Officer-Involved Shooting resulting in the death of a @CHP_HQ Officer. Our hearts, sorrow and condolences are with all involved @CHPRiverside. https://t.co/MjgzSoSaal
— LAPD Communications Division (@911LAPD) August 13, 2019
We send our condolences and prayers to our brothers and sisters of the California Highway Patrol and their families. @ChpRiverside @CHPInland
— CAL FIRE BDU (@CALFIREBDU) August 13, 2019
OCFA mourns with the family, friends and all of our law enforcement partners for the senseless killing of the CHP officer in Riverside today. Please stop killing police officers, they protect us! pic.twitter.com/IBRIbjhBa2
— OCFA PIO (@OCFireAuthority) August 13, 2019
Our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the @ChpRiverside Officer killed in the line of duty tonight. 🙏 Prayers for a full recovery for the other two CHP officers who were injured in the incident. ⚫️🔵⚫️
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) August 13, 2019
Why the suspect opened fire will be one part of a “very long” and “complex” investigation, Railsback said.
Diaz, at the news conference, said “we have a huge amount of evidence to sort through, including body-worn video evidence, radio transmissions, paperwork and many many eye witness’s accounts.”
The line of CHP motor officers at Riverside University Health System has grown over the past hour or so. pic.twitter.com/O05yGj4bJ5
— Richard K. De Atley (@RKDeAtley) August 13, 2019
Among the law enforcement agencies spotted at Riverside University Health System Medical Center are Colton, Riverside, Fontana. There are several Riverside County Sheriff’s stations represented with Moreno Valley in particular, of course. pic.twitter.com/8dJaC7ASx6
— Richard K. De Atley (@RKDeAtley) August 13, 2019
CHP officers can be seen talking and embracing as they gather in greater numbers. pic.twitter.com/8eCRv6nGlg
— Richard K. De Atley (@RKDeAtley) August 13, 2019
There is also heavy security — Sheriff’s armored cars are parked at either end of the hospital’s emergency entrance. A black and white patrol car, draped in a dark plastic sheet, sits nearby one of them. pic.twitter.com/e4KbSKI008
— Richard K. De Atley (@RKDeAtley) August 13, 2019
Three officers were hit in the shootout near Box Springs Blvd and Eastridge Avenue, says Riverside PD spokesman Ryan Railsback.
Waiting for updates on their condition. pic.twitter.com/MJmevB301i— Ryan Hagen (@rmhagen) August 13, 2019
Officer involved shooting reported on the Eucalyptus ave over the 215 fwy. pic.twitter.com/kHGpFU5WMV
— TERRY PIERSON (@Fotogodterry) August 13, 2019
The shooting happened in the area of Box Springs Boulevard and Eastridge/Eucalyptus Avenue, west of the 215 Freeway.
The other injured officers sustained injuries ranging from minor to major, officials said. Two civilians sustained “mostly superficial” injuries, with one transported for treatment as a precaution, Parker said.
There were indications that several passers-by were hit by flying glass or shrapnel during the gunfire, and Riverside Fire Department paramedics treated those people in the area.
Moye, a CHP officer for nearly three years, was assigned to the Riverside Area Office upon graduation from the CHP Academy on March 3, 2017. Moye is survived by his wife, Sara, father, mother, stepfather, brothers and sisters, said the governor’s statement. It said Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff in Moye’s honor.
#BreakingNews Riverside Fire Dept along with Riverside PD and CHP working on a reported shooting at Eastridge and Box Springs. Suspect reportedly engaged in shooting with CHP. Bystander may have also been hit.
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) August 13, 2019
Moctezuma: He led us away from the gunfire, ducking from one car to another. “he’s a hero,” she says. “Otherwise we would still be tucked in the car. He’s my guardian angel.”
— Ryan Hagen (@rmhagen) August 13, 2019
Spelling correction: Charles Childress, not Childres
— Ryan Hagen (@rmhagen) August 13, 2019
Further details regarding what led up to the shooting were not immediately available, though broadcast reports showed CHP vehicles with shot-out windows and that the suspect had a rifle. Video showed officers loading injured officers into a law enforcement car and a helicopter so they could be rushed to hospitals.
The suspect in Monday’s incident was not immediately identified by officials, but ABC7 interviewed Dennis Luther, who said his son was the shooter and was Aaron Luther, 49, of Beaumont.
“It’s hard,” he said. “I love him. And I’m sorry for the policeman.”
Dennis Luther said he did not know what prompted the shooting. He said Aaron Luther had been depressed and was having physical and marital troubles before his pickup was stopped by the CHP.
Dennis Luther said his son served 10 years in prison for attempted murder and was released about 10 years ago. He had been working to get his life back together, but was also depressed and suffering knee pain, he said in the ABC7 interview.
“This is a living nightmare”: says father of 49 year old Aaron Luther, the suspected gunman involved in shootout with police in #Riverside. @abc7 #abc7eyewitness pic.twitter.com/2IaPlEnl2f
— Eileen Frere (@efreremedia) August 13, 2019
Some commentators noted that the CHP officers were shot the same day Los Angeles Police Department Officer Juan Diaz was buried. Diaz was shot and killed while off duty on July 27 after he spotted a man tagging a wall and asked him to stop.
On a day we laid to rest @LAPDHQ Officer Diaz, we honor the courage of all who sacrifice to keep us safe. Our hearts break tonight as @CHP_HQ loses one of its own to a senseless act of violence in Riverside. Our prayers are with their loved ones & all the victims of this tragedy.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) August 13, 2019
Just In: Gun battle erupts in Riverside. Aerial footage shows bullet holes in windshields of squad cars and emergency personnel giving CPR to an individual in the street. https://t.co/Lw6J508ihH
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) August 13, 2019
The investigation temporarily closed nearby Metrolink tracks.
91/PV Line Update: Tracks are closed due to police activity near the tracks. Metrolink Passengers from Riverside Downtown to Perris Downtown & South Perris can use RTA bus #208.
— Metrolink (@Metrolink) August 13, 2019
Traffic near the shooting scene and the nearby Interstate 215/Moreno Valley (60) Freeway interchange was expected to be affected throughout the morning commute and drivers were asked to find alternate routes, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said.
Monday’s fatal shooting of Officer Moye follows the death of CHP Sgt. Steve Licon, who was killed April 6 when he was struck by a vehicle on the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore.
City News Service contributed to this story.
