Second TV Reporter Aids in Surrender

Another man wanted for questioning in the deaths of two Compton police officers turned himself in to Los Angeles County sheriffs with the help of a television reporter early Sunday morning.

Alfred Lopez was the second man to surrender with the aid of a newscaster in 12 hours when he was brought into the Carson sheriff’s substation about 1:30 a.m. by Larry Carroll, a reporter with KCAL-TV, according to Sgt. Marvin Pearson of the Sheriff’s Department.

On Saturday evening, Jeffrey Paul Edwards, who was wanted for questioning in the case, turned himself in to the same sheriff’s station with the help of Warren Wilson, a KTLA-TV reporter.

Both men were arrested on charges unrelated to the deaths of the police officers. Although they may have information relating to the murders, they are not suspects, according to Sgt. Barry Lobel of the Compton Police Department.

Lopez contacted KCAL through an intermediary about 7 p.m. Saturday, according to Carroll. Lopez said he was returning from a visit to his grandmother in Mexico and heard from a friend that his face was on a wanted poster in connection with an attempted murder in a separate case and that he was being sought for questioning relating to the murders of the police officers.

Lopez said he had nothing to do with the murders of the officers, Carroll said. “He said he was worried he’d get beat up if he was picked up by the police on the street. He hoped that the glare of (camera) lights would provide some protection.”

Lopez and Carroll arranged a meeting place near the Carson sheriff’s station and went in together.

Carroll said the experience was “awkward” for a reporter, but that if it “can advance the cause of finding the killers of those cops I’m happy to help.”

Lopez, 27, was arrested on suspicion of an alleged gang-related attempted murder that occurred on Feb. 22, about six blocks from where the officers were shot a few hours later, Lobel said.

James Deon Smith, 25, who was wanted along with Lopez in the attempted murder case, turned himself in to authorities on March 18, and was also questioned.