LOS ANGELES — Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, 22, has been charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder following a deadly shooting in Baldwin Park that left two people dead, including a police officer, and wounded another officer, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
Medina-Berumen faces two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances for the killings of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, 28, and Darius Wong, a 43-year-old father from Hacienda Heights. He is also charged with two counts of attempted murder for allegedly opening fire on two additional Baldwin Park police officers, one of whom was injured.
According to authorities, Wong was shot while parking his car after dropping off his family at a neighborhood gathering on Saturday evening. Just minutes later, at around 7:12 p.m., police responded to multiple reports of an armed suspect on the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue.
When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered Wong unresponsive on the sidewalk. As they approached, Medina-Berumen allegedly opened fire with a rifle, striking Officer Anthony Pimentel. Officer Riveros arrived moments later and was also fatally shot.
A second officer-involved shooting occurred when backup officers arrived. Medina-Berumen was shot and taken into custody. He remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Police recovered an AR-15-style rifle at the scene, equipped with two high-capacity magazines. Sheriff Robert Luna expressed deep concern about the use of such a weapon:
“Every time I hear about an assault rifle like this being used on the street, it makes the hair on my neck stand up.”
In addition to murder and attempted murder charges, Medina-Berumen is facing a felony weapons charge for possession of an assault rifle.
District Attorney Hochman called the crime “an appalling and senseless act of violence,” and Sheriff Luna paid tribute to Officer Riveros’s bravery:
“He ran toward the danger without hesitation. That’s an act of profound courage. His sacrifice must never be forgotten.”
