Proceedings to Continue Friday in Slaying of Baldwin Park Officer

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - Arraignment is expected to continue Friday for the suspect in the Baldwin Park shooting that killed two men, including a police officer, and the wounding of two other officers.

Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, 22, was charged with two counts of murder in the first degree, two counts of premeditated attempted murder and one count of possessing an assault weapon.

Medina was additionally charged with special circumstances, including murder for financial gain, murder of a peace officer engaged in duties, personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, and multiple murders.

Proceedings were held in Department N of Pomona Superior Court June 5 and are expected to be held again Friday, June 6.

Medina is accused of murdering Baldwin Park Police officer Samuel Riveros and 43-year-old Darius Wong.

Medina is accused of attempted murder against Baldwin Park officer Anthony Pimentel and officer Alfredo Leal.

Pimentel was apparently wounded by flying shards of glass launched by bullets intended to kill him. Leal was struck by gunfire, Hochman said.

“Sam was a dedicated officer who represented our department with dignity and honor. In the face of danger, Sam selflessly put the safety of others before his own and gave his life doing so,” said Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez.

Wong, a Hacienda Heights resident, dropped off his wife, two daughters and sister-in-law at a family party and sought parking nearby. He apparently was shot in the back.

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A .223 assault weapon was seized from the scene of the shooting, and 40-60 expended shell casings were also found, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Two high-capacity gun clips were also found at the scene, Chief Luna said, adding that Sheriff’s investigators are determining who owns the weapon and if it was legally purchased.

Officers Pimentel and Leal arrived separately to a reported shooting in the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue around 7:12 p.m. May 31 and were fired upon. Both officers returned fire, according to Chief Luna.

Riveros arrived to the scene and was also shot.

Additional officers arrived and exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was finally subdued. Wong was discovered down on a sidewalk and unresponsive. He died at the scene.

The suspect remains hospitalized in stable condition.

The case will undergo a death penalty review, which is expected to last a number of months before prosecutors decide to seek the death penalty, Hochman said.

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