A Downey, California, police officer was killed this week when two suspects opened fire on him in the police department's parking lot in a crime investigators believe targeted the former U.S. Marine.
Officer Ricky Galvez, 29, who served two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, was sitting in his car in the west parking lot of the Downey Police Department late Wednesday after a training session when two males
walked up and fired on him, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Galvez was reportedly on duty but not in uniform at the time of the shooting. He
died at the scene, according to NBC Los Angeles.
A manhunt for the suspects ensued in Montebello after another officer nearby heard the shots fired and saw a vehicle speeding away. The sheriff's department reportedly detained five people in a sweep of the area as of Thursday morning, NBC Los Angeles noted.
"One of Downey's finest was shot and killed," Downey Police Chief Carl Charles said in a statement. "He was a tremendous young man. His smile and professionalism were always on display. Words cannot express the love we have for Ricky."
Authorities told The Associated Press that it appears Galvez was targeted, but officials would not comment on whether he was singled out for personal reasons or because of his profession.
"It doesn't look like it was random," Sheriff's Lt. John Corina said, according to the news agency.
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