A former Navy lieutenant and LAPD officer seeking retribution against the police department for his firing 5 years ago has disappeared in the snowfall of Big Bear Mountain after a killing spree that left three people dead and another seriously wounded. Authorities say Christopher Dorner is believed to be armed with high powered weapons including a .50 caliber rifle and a shoulder-fired missile launcher. Authorities are scouring the area for any signs of him, but nothing has been found since Dorner's burned-out pickup truck was located Thursday near Big Bear.
“He could be anywhere at this point," John McMahon of the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department told reporters Friday.
Dorner’s killing spree began Sunday in Irvine, California when he murdered 27-year-old Monica Quan, the daughter of a retired LAPD officer, and Quan’s fiance, Keith Lawrence. The killings led police to discover Dorner’s online “manifesto” in which he talks about seeking revenge against the police department for his 2008 termination. Dorner’s specifically names 12 people in the document.
"Your lack of ethics and conspiring to wrong a just individual are over. Suppressing the truth will lead to deadly consequences for you and your family," Dorner wrote.
"I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty," he continued. "You will now live the life of the prey."
"The department has not changed since the Rampart and Rodney King days. It has gotten worse," wrote Dorner. "I know I will be vilified by the LAPD and the media. Unfortunately, this is a necessary evil that I do not enjoy but must partake and complete for substantial change to occur within the LAPD and reclaim my name."
Dorner claims he was fired because he reported police brutality to internal affairs. His accusation led to an investigation and eventually his termination for making false statements. Dorner insists he is innocent. "It is clear as day that the department retaliated toward me for reporting [the officer]. ... The department stated that I had lied and made up the report,” he added. "This is my last resort. The LAPD has suppressed the truth and it has now lead to deadly consequences.”
On Wednesday night, Dorner opened fire on LAPD officers protecting the home of one the targets named in his manifesto. A bullet grazed an officer’s head. About thirty minutes later, Dorner shot at two officers in Riverside. One of the officers died and the other was wounded.
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