Crime & Safety

Cal Poly Pomona Parking Officer Fatally Stabbed, Suspect Killed

The stabbing occurred at 4:30 p.m Friday in the 3500 block of West Pomona Boulevard.

POMONA, CA -- Los Angeles County Sheriff's detectives are investigating Saturday the fatal stabbing of a campus parking officer and a suspect killed in an officer-involved shooting at Cal Poly Pomona.

The stabbing occurred at 4:30 p.m Friday in the 3500 block of West Pomona Boulevard and the shooting around 25 minutes later near University Road and Temple Avenue, according to the Sheriff's Department.

A fellow employee found the victim, described as a 37-year-old male, stabbed to death in his truck in a rural part of the campus, sheriff's Lt. John Corina said.

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A short time later, witnesses called police to report they might have located the suspect near Lyle Center, the Sheriff's Department said.

Officers from the Pomona Police Department and California State University Police arrived and an officer-involved shooting occurred.

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"It looks like the suspect probably worked here on campus," Corina said. "He may have been a custodian here."

A knife was recovered, Corina said.

Both victims were pronounced dead at the respective scenes, Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez said.

Pomona Chief of Police Michael Olivieri praised the public for its help. "Calls and people helping is what led us to where the suspect was."

Summer school classes and orientation sessions for incoming freshmen were taking place on campus Friday, but a university spokesman said safety remains a top priority.

"I want to assure the university and incoming freshmen and their families this is a very safe community," Cal Poly Public Information Officer Tim Lynch said. "They're in good hands."

"We grieve with the family members and loved ones mourning the loss of life today," said university President Soraya M. Coley. "On behalf of the Cal Poly Pomona community, I express gratitude to the University Police Department and officers from local agencies and other CSU campuses for their efforts. This is truly a sad day for our university family."

Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona) released a statement following the incidents.

"As the situation continues to unfold, my heart goes out to the fallen parking enforcement officer and his family," Torres said. ``I thank all first responders for responding quickly to the scene and for preventing this altercation from resulting in further loss of life. I especially commend the University for their swift, coordinated response to inform and protect all students currently on campus."

--City News Service/Photo via Shutterstock

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