Man Slain After Trying to Rob Off-Duty Officer
An off-duty Beverly Hills police officer shot and killed one of two men who attempted to rob him early Saturday outside his Panorama City home, Los Angeles police said.
Officer Howard Wilson, 31, a nine-year veteran, also was wounded--when one of the men stabbed him in the right hand and when he shot himself in the left hand. The 2:30 a.m. confrontation occurred near Cedros Avenue and Parthenia Street, said Detective Otis Marlow.
Paul Soliz, 31, described by police as a gang member, was killed in the shooting.
According to police reports, Wilson had just parked his car when Soliz and Servando Benitez, 19, walked up and demanded his wallet. During a scuffle with Soliz and Benitez, Wilson drew a handgun and fired several shots. At least one hit Soliz, Marlow said.
Soliz and Benitez tried to run away, but Wilson chased them about 300 feet, and they fought again. Wilson fired and hit Soliz, who died about two hours later at Panorama Community Hospital, police said.
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