NewsCrime

Actions

Man who killed Southern California officers died by suicide

Posted

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A gunman who killed two Southern California police officers died by suicide, a coroner's report said Saturday.

Justin Flores, 35, died of a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was suicide, according to online records of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Flores died on a sidewalk outside a suburban motel on Tuesday after shooting El Monte Police Department Officer Joseph Santana, 31, and Cpl. Michael Paredes, 42.

The coroner's records also show that Santana died from a gunshot wound to the head and Paredes was killed by gunshot wounds to the head.

The officers were sent to the motel to investigate a report that a woman had possibly been stabbed.

Sheriff's homicide Capt. Andrew Meyer has said that the officers confronted the suspect and gunfire erupted inside the motel room. The gunman ran outside and there was more gunfire with other officers.

Flores was on probation for a gun charge at the time of the shooting, which occurred a day after his probation officer requested that he return to court later in the month, court records show.

A public candlelight vigil for the slain officers was scheduled for Saturday evening on the front steps of the El Monte civic center.



Sign up for our Morning E-mail Newsletter to receive the latest headlines in your inbox.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Wednesday

10/29/2025

Clear

-° / 54°

2%

Thursday

10/30/2025

Mostly Clear

82° / 56°

3%

Friday

10/31/2025

Clear

78° / 54°

3%

Saturday

11/01/2025

Clear

79° / 54°

2%

Sunday

11/02/2025

Mostly Clear

78° / 54°

1%

Monday

11/03/2025

Mostly Clear

82° / 56°

0%

Tuesday

11/04/2025

Mostly Clear

78° / 55°

0%

Wednesday

11/05/2025

Partly Cloudy

75° / 56°

12%