California Police Officer Killed in Shootout; Suspect Committed Suicide

By Joshua Summers First Posted: May 11, 2021 09:34 PM EDT

A suspect from California opened fire to San Luis Obispo police officers on Monday, leaving one dead and one injured. He then took his own life. The tragic incident happened in Camellia Court in San Luis Obispo when the police officers were serving a search warrant for stolen property, The Tribune reported.

Authorities identified the officer who died as Luca Benedetti, a 12-year veteran of the force. The injured officer, Steve Orozco, was transported to Sierra Vista Hospital and released on Monday evening. Meanwhile, the suspect in the incident was identified by the authorities as Edward Zamora Giron.

California Police Officers and the Suspect

On Monday, at around 5 in the afternoon, San Luis Obispo Police said that at least six police officers from their department were dispatched to an apartment in Camellia Court to serve a search warrant. New York Daily News noted that the officers were looking for Giron, as he was related to a stolen property tied to a series of late-night burglaries.

San Luis Police Chief Brian Amoroso noted that the officers identified themselves and asked to enter. However, the suspect did not answer. The police officers eventually forced the door open after a period of no response. After which, Giron opened fire on the police officers while he was "lying in wait."

The officers also exchanged fire with the suspect. However, Benedetti and Orozco sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire. Benedetti succumbed to the injuries he received. Giron was later found dead inside the apartment due to a self-inflicted fatal gunshot wound and other injuries from the shootout.

"This is a tragedy beyond measure for all of those who serve and care about the community," said City Manager Derek Johnson in Associated Press, citing a statement. Johnson also expressed condolences to the family of the victims.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Scott described the incident as an "absolute tragedy," adding that what happened will "take time to gain understanding."

California Suspect

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson revealed that Giron had a criminal history. His cases are mostly connected to alcohol, drugs, and property offenses. The county sheriff noted that the suspect does not have any violent offenses. Parkinson added that the law enforcement has no mental health alerts for the suspect, but he was arrested multiple times due to alcohol-related offenses.

Parkinson also noted that Giron has no registered firearm, yet a witness told the Tribune that the suspect utilized an assault-style rifle that aligns with their investigation. Giron is allegedly tied with a burglary at around 3:30 in the morning at Ricardo Court gym on Monday. The suspect has reportedly stolen equipment worth $15,000 to $20,000.

The equipment stolen includes ropes, harnesses, computers, safe to store iPads, numerous parts of the gym's security systems, and keys for the building. Associated Press noted that the stolen property was later found inside the apartment where the California police officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect.

WATCH: San Luis Obispo Officer Involved Shooting - from KSBY News