Rookie Policeman Killed in Struggle With Suspect

A rookie policeman was shot and killed today during a struggle with a burglary suspect in North Hollywood, and other officers later killed a man who was armed with the slain officer’s gun.

Investigators did not know whether Officer James Beyea, 24, was slain with his own gun but no other weapon was found on the dead gunman, police said.

Two unidentified people were brought in for questioning but they were not booked and their connection to the case was uncertain, Officer Bill Frio said.

Beyea, who was on the force for just nine months, was fatally shot about 1 a.m. after he and his partner, Ignacio Gonzalez, responded to a burglary call at Alpha Electronics in North Hollywood, Cmdr. William Booth said.

Suspect Found in Attic

Beyea died at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, nursing supervisor Pat Schlendering said.

About three hours after the shooting, a canine unit found an armed suspect hiding in the attic of an abandoned home on Runnymede Street, about three blocks from the electronics store on Lankershim Boulevard, Booth said.

Gunfire was exchanged between police and the suspect, who was fatally wounded, Booth said. He was identified only as a male in his early 20s.

Booth said the officer was killed after he and his partner saw a man run from the electronics shop.

‘Chased Him on Foot’

“Beyea and Gonzalez saw the suspect flee from the electronics store,” the commander said. “Beyea chased him on foot for about a block, and Gonzalez followed in the car.

“Officer Gonzalez then saw his partner engage in a physical confrontation with the suspect,” Booth said. He then heard gunfire and saw his partner fall, the commander said.

Gonzalez exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who fled, he said.

Fifty officers, including seven canine units, searched the area until one found the man in the abandoned home, Booth said.

Beyea’s handgun was recovered from the suspect after he was felled, Booth said. He said it is unknown whether Beyea was shot with his own gun or if the suspect had another weapon.