El Monte unites to help find peace after police officers killed: 'Stuff like this shouldn't happen'

EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) -- A somber candlelight vigil in El Monte Saturday night united dozens of heartbroken community members and families searching for answers after two police officers were killed in the line of duty this week.

"I never knew this level of pain existed," said an emotional Mark Jimenez, the brother-in-law of one of the officers killed.

Jimenez's sister lost her husband - 31-year-old Officer Joseph Anthony Santana - and wrote her thoughts in a letter.

Jimenez read it at the vigil on her behalf.

"Every inch of my body is broken missing you," the letter read. "I miss your kisses, your cuddles, your voice. I miss seeing you playing with the kids."

Santana and his partner, Cpl. Michael Domingo Paredes, 42, were killed around 5:10 p.m. Tuesday during a gunfight at the Siesta Inn, 10327 Garvey Ave., where they had responded to a report of a stabbing.

"Michael had a huge heart," said Melissa Valencia, Paredes' sister. "Big hugs for everyone, and that perfect smile that he was known for by all."

The vigil brought out hundreds to the El Monte Civic Center.

"It's sad," said attendee Efrain Carbajal. "Stuff like this shouldn't happen."

Authorities say the officers confronted the suspect, 35-year-old Justin William Flores, in a room at the motel, leading to the gunfire.

Flores ran outside into a parking lot, where another shooting occurred. It was later revealed he died by suicide at the scene.

READ MORE: 2 El Monte officers ID'd after being killed in shootout with gunman; suspect's history emerges

The two El Monte Police Department officers who were killed in a shootout with a gunman at a motel have been identified as more details emerge about the suspect's criminal history.

According to the coroner's office, both officers were shot in the head.

While the investigation is continuing, critics of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón have loudly criticized the district attorney in the ensuing days, noting that Flores - a felon with a history of arrests -- was given a plea deal last year that allowed him to avoid prison time for being in possession of a firearm.

Olga Garcia, the mother of Santana, lashed out at Gascón -- saying his "insane ideas'' allowed the gunman to remain out of jail and free to murder her son.

"I blame the death of my son and his partner on Gascón,'' she said through tears at a news conference Friday outside police headquarters.

READ MORE: Gascón denies reports that DA's office will pay for funeral of gunman who killed El Monte officers

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said reports that his office will pay the funeral costs for the suspect in the El Monte police shooting under a policy he introduced are "unfounded."

As a result of the plea, charges of methamphetamine possession and being a felon in possession of ammunition were dropped, and Flores was placed on two years' probation, and 20 days in jail.

Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami, a leader of the drive to recall Gascón, blasted the plea deal, saying it was an example of Gascón's policies against alleging prior strike convictions in criminal cases, allowing a defendant to avoid prison time and remain on the streets.

City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.