Eduardo Medina-Berumen, the 22-year-old accused of murdering Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, will remain behind bars without bail as he faces potential death penalty charges for his senseless AR-15 rampage that left two dead and another officer wounded.
Key Takeaways
- Eduardo Medina-Berumen faces two counts of first-degree murder for killing Officer Samuel Riveros and civilian Darius Wong during a May 31 shooting spree
- The suspect appeared in court in a wheelchair after being wounded in a gun battle with police and will be held without bail until his July 31 arraignment
- Prosecutors allege Medina-Berumen was “firing indiscriminately” with an AR-15-style weapon equipped with high-capacity magazines
- The charges against Medina-Berumen could result in the death penalty if he is convicted
- Officer Riveros was a nine-year veteran of the force and a father of two children, while victim Darius Wong was a married father of two young daughters
Suspect Denied Bail Following Deadly Rampage
Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen made his initial court appearance on June 11 in Pomona, California, where a judge ordered him held without bail until his arraignment scheduled for July 31. The 22-year-old suspect appeared in a wheelchair due to injuries sustained during the May 31 shootout with police that claimed the lives of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros and 43-year-old civilian Darius Wong. Medina-Berumen faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder for allegedly firing at other responding officers, and additional weapons charges in connection with the deadly rampage.
“started firing indiscriminately,” Said Deputy District Attorney Michael Michelena.
Details of the Deadly Incident
According to prosecutors, Medina-Berumen allegedly began firing an AR-15-style rifle with high-capacity magazines outside his home without apparent provocation. When Baldwin Park police officers responded to reports of an active shooter, they were immediately met with gunfire. Sheriff Robert Luna, whose department is handling the investigation, described how officers were “immediately fired upon by this suspect, who had a rifle.” The violent confrontation resulted in the deaths of Officer Riveros and civilian Darius Wong, who was tragically caught in the crossfire. Officer Anthony Pimentel was also wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
“immediately fired upon by this suspect, who had a rifle,” Said Sheriff Robert Luna.
Authorities report that Medina-Berumen was finally taken into custody after he ran out of ammunition during the gun battle with responding officers. Law enforcement recovered an AR-15-style weapon with high-capacity magazines at the scene, providing further evidence for the charge of possession of an assault rifle that has been added to the murder counts. The severity of the crimes has prosecutors considering pursuing the death penalty in this case, highlighting the heinous nature of the attack on law enforcement and innocent civilians.
Lives Lost and Communities Mourning
The senseless violence has left two families and an entire community in mourning. Officer Samuel Riveros was a nine-year veteran of the Baldwin Park Police Department and leaves behind a wife and two children. His sacrifice in the line of duty represents the dangers law enforcement officers face while protecting their communities. Darius Wong, the civilian victim, was a married father of two young daughters whose life was tragically cut short simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sheriff Luna described finding Wong “unresponsive, that ultimately, unfortunately.
The charges against Medina-Berumen were announced at a press conference at the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles, attended by Baldwin Park Police Officer Anthony Pimentel and District Attorney Nathan Hochman. The presence of Officer Pimentel, who survived the attack that claimed his colleague’s life, served as a powerful reminder of the human toll of this tragedy. As the case moves through the legal system with the July 31 arraignment approaching, the families of the victims and the Baldwin Park community continue to grieve while seeking justice for the lives unnecessarily taken.
