A 26-year-old off-duty Monterey Park police officer shot and killed in Downey Monday afternoon has been identified.
Gardiel Solorio was hired as a police recruit earlier this year and had just started field training in late July.
Monterey Park Police Department Chief Kelly Gordon described the Bell Gardens native as being hardworking, dedicated and family oriented. He is survived by his parents, brothers, sisters and fiancé.
Solorio had a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cal State L.A., he strived to be a good role model for his nephews and wanted to make an impact on the community, Gordon said.
“Right now our main focus is making sure that the person who did this is brought to justice and the investigation is allowed to take place the way it needs to take place,” Gordon said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Downey police responded to an L.A. Fitness in the 12000 block of Lakewood Boulevard around 3:30 p.m. to find a man down in the parking lot with gunshot wounds.
Solorio was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators are still trying to determine if there was a confrontation prior to the shooting, or an exchange of gunfire.
Overnight, a number of law enforcement agencies came together to honor the fallen officer during a procession to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office in Boyle Heights.
The Downey Police Department is leading the investigation but has not released any suspect information or possible motive for the shooting.
Police released no new details about the shooting during the news conference.
The shooting has community members concerned.
“It just makes my stomach hurt … My prayers are to the family,” L.A. Fitness member Christina Baca said.
Detectives are asking witnesses to come forward and call the Downey Police Department with any information.