Police officer's suspected killer identified

WHITTIER, CA -- The parolee accused of fatally gunning down Whittier, California Officer Keith Boyer has been identified by sheriff's officials as 26-year-old Michael Mejia, a documented gang member.

Mejia is accused of firing at Boyer and Officer Patrick Hazel while the two were responding to a traffic accident in Whittier's Friendly Hills neighborhood Monday morning.

Authorities said Mejia was involved in a car crash near the area of Colima Road and Mar Vista Street. When the two officers approached Mejia and tried to search him for weapons, Mejia opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun, officials said.

At least one officer returned fire, striking Mejia.

All three were rushed to local hospitals. Boyer, a 53-year-old father and full-time member of the force since 1990, was pronounced dead.

The Whittier police officer who was killed in the line of duty was honored by fellow law enforcement officials in a procession on Monday.

Hazel, who served the force for three years, was listed in stable condition in the intensive care unit. Mejia was also listed in stable condition at the hospital.

Boyer's body was escorted in a procession Tuesday from the Orange County Coroner's Office to Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier.

Throughout the day, residents and law enforcement personnel from other agencies continued to visit a makeshift memorial created in front of the Whittier Police Department in honor of the fallen officer.

Among them was Yvette Rivera, who said she was "devastated" by the Boyer's death.

"It's sad," she added. "An innocent cop doing his job. It's not right."

Sheriff's officials said Mejia was booked and remained hospitalized on Tuesday.

According to investigators, Mejia is a documented street gang member from Los Angeles. His criminal history includes charges of vandalism and resisting arrest, and he has previously been convicted of robbery, grand theft auto and vehicle theft. He was released from Pelican Bay State Prison on April 19, 2016 and reported to the Probation Department the next day.

Mejia was released on parole under Post Release Community Supervision as required by Assembly Bill 109, a bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown that moves certain felony offenders from state prisons to county jails.

Authorities said he was released approximately 10 days ago, and a parole check was recently conducted at his home.

In addition to the Whittier shooting, Mejia was believed to be involved in a murder in City Terrace earlier the same day.

Authorities stated the shooting death happened in the 1400 block of Voleny Drive at about 5:30 a.m.

The victim was 47-year-old Roy Torres, Mejia's cousin, officials confirmed.

The car Mejia was driving at the time of the Whittier traffic accident was stolen from the murder scene, according to authorities.

If you have any information about either incident, you're urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. You can also provide anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.