LAPD station shooter had assault weapons at home, in car, police say
The man accused of opening fire in a Mid-City Los Angeles police station Monday night, wounding a police officer, has been identified as 29-year-old man who had access to assault weapons, one of which was allegedly waiting in his car, officials said Tuesday.
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said at Tuesday’s Police Commission meeting that the suspect – identified as Daniel C. Yealu -- used a Glock pistol and had another weapon in his car parked at the station.
Officials on Tuesday displayed weapons and ammunition they said were found during a search of Yealu’s home and car, which was parked outside the LAPD Wilshire Division on Venice Boulevard near South La Brea Avenue when the shooting unfolded about 8:30 p.m.
“By the grace of God, the suspect did not come in with the assault weapons that he has had access to, one of which I believe was in his vehicle,” Beck said.
One witness told The Times that the shooter had walked down a hall next to a room where more than 30 people were attending a neighborhood council meeting.
Daphne Brogdon, a member of the Olympic Park Neighborhood Council, said she dived under a lectern inside the station’s West Bureau community room when the gunfire broke out.
“I hid, and everyone else just hit the ground,” she said.
Yealu was neutralized after the two officers returned fire. He remained in critical condition Tuesday.
LAPD Officer Bruce Borihanh said Tuesday that the injured officer was not wearing a ballistic vest when he was hit.
One of the bullets that hit the officer struck a backup pistol he had in his pocket, sparing him from more serious injuries, Beck said.
It was “truly a miracle,” the chief added.
The officer was expected to survive after being treated at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. Police did not release the wounded officer’s name but did say he was a seven-year veteran. The other officer involved in the shooting has been on the force for four years.
Meanwhile, detectives continued Tuesday to investigate a possible motive for the shooting. Yealu was believed to have said something about having a complaint prior to the shooting, but police officials have divulged little more.
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