2 suspects, ages 20 and 17, charged in fatal shooting of off-duty Monterey Park police officer
L.A. District Attorney George Gascón said Officer Gardiel Solorio was shot during what appears to have been an attempted robbery.
DOWNEY, Calif. (KABC) -- An adult and a teenager have been charged in the killing of an off-duty Monterey Park officer, who was shot while trying to flee from being robbed, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said Wednesday.
Officer Gardiel Solorio, 26, was fatally shot Monday in the parking lot of a Downey business.
The alleged gunman, Carlos Daniel Delcid, 20, is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Downey on charges of murder, attempted robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.
A 17-year-old suspect, who allegedly acted as the getaway driver, has also been arrested.
Court documents obtained by Eyewitness News show that Delcid had been arrested at least three times on felony charges in the last eight months.
He was arrested Dec. 8 and released the next day. He was arrested Jan. 20 and released four days later.
On Feb. 10, he was arrested and charged on five counts, and was convicted on two for domestic violence against his girlfriend and burglary. He was sentenced March 10 to 180 days in jail and four years of probation, but was released the next day.
Gascón said Solorio was shot during what appears to have been an attempted robbery.
When approached by a man with a gun in the parking lot, Solorio tried to back away in his car and that's when he was shot five times, Gascón said.
"This extraordinary case, given the circumstances, we'll be seeking life without the possibility of parole," Gascón said Wednesday.
Responding officers found Solorio suffering from gunshot wounds, and paramedics declared him dead at the scene.
"He really wanted to make an impact on the community," said Monterey Park Police Chief Kelly Gordon during a news conference on Tuesday. "His classmates shared that Officer Solorio had all the characteristics of a great officer. He was humble, dedicated, selfless and hardworking, but even a better person."
Solorio grew up in Bell Gardens, according to Gordon.
He attended California State University, Los Angeles where he received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
He had been on the force for only about a month, after graduating from the police academy in July.
Family members say he was the youngest of 13 children. Solorio is survived by his parents, brothers, sisters and fiancée.
"His family and friends described him as tough as nails but a kid at heart," said Gordon.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
