Investigators Name Armed Suspect Killed by Deputies in Diamond Bar

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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LOS ANGELES - Homicide investigators over the weekend named the suspect who was shot and killed by deputies after he decided to randomly fire his assault weapon throughout a Diamond Bar neighborhood.

Benjamin Chin, 30, had been shot several times in the upper torso after allegedly refusing to comply with commands from deputies to drop his weapon. He was hospitalized and died the evening of the shooting, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station received 911 calls of a stabbing around 11:36 a.m. Monday, June 19. More 911 calls followed from witnesses reporting gunfire, according to Lt. Hugo Reynaga of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Chin stabbed his mother once in the back.

Some time after stabbing his mother, the suspect retrieved a bulletproof vest and high-powered rifle. His mother followed him for about a half mile to Crooked Creek and Diamond Bar Boulevard where the suspect reportedly began firing rounds in the air from his rifle.

The suspect reportedly pointed his rifle at an approaching driver who quickly fled the area. The suspect then crossed onto Diamond Bar Boulevard and allegedly pointed a rifle at a pedestrian. A deputy used a patrol car to create a barrier between the pedestrian and suspect, Reynaga said.

Two deputies verbally ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. He reportedly refused and the deputies fired on him striking him three times, Reynaga said.

The mother was treated for her wounds at a hospital and released that afternoon.

The suspect’s vest was equipped with two trauma plates, one in front and one in back. It is not readily clear if the suspect was struck on those trauma plates.

A knife was retrieved along with the suspect’s weapon.