Whittier: Officers Ambushed by Murder Suspect During Accident Investigation

02.20.2017 | 8:00 AM | WHITTIER – A veteran police officer was slain, and another injured, after being ambushed by a known gang member on early release from prison who had, only hours prior, killed his cousin before stealing his car.

Just after 8:00 AM Monday morning, Officer Keith Lane Boyer, 53, and his partner Officer Patrick Hazel, responded to a reported three-car traffic collision at the intersection of Colima Road and Mar Vista in Whittier.

As officers arrived on scene they found a rear-end style traffic collision and proceeding to make contact with the occupant of one of the vehicles. Officers requested the male to exit the vehicle at which time the man pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and opened fire on the officers.

Officer Boyer, along with his partner, were struck by the suspect’s gunfire, and his partner was injured but still managed to return some effective gunfire.

Officer Boyer was treated on scene and transported to an area hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. His partner was hospitalized in stable condition and expected to survive.

The suspect was placed into custody and treated for his wounds before being booked.

Further investigation revealed that hours earlier, at approximately 5:30 AM, the suspect killed his cousin, Roy Torres, 47, in East Los Angeles before stealing Torres’ car and crashing it.

Reports indicate the suspect, who has a history of violent crime, was released only a week earlier on account of ‘early release.’

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