SWAT Officer Dies after being shot serving warrant in San Gabriel

By Terry Miller

A Pomona police SWAT officer shot in the back of the head while serving a search warrant in San Gabriel has died, Pomona Police Chief Paul J. Capraro said Tuesday eveing.
“It is with a heavy heart that we must deliver the news that early this morning Pomona police SWAT Officer Shaun Diamond had succumbed to his injuries,” the Pomona Police Department said in a statement Wednesday.
Diamond, 45, was hospitalized early Tuesday morning and listed in very critical condition at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena after authorities said he was shot by 36-year-old David Martinez during a predawn search warrant operation that was part of a investigation into a motorcycle gang.
Martinez, who remains in custody, is due in court Thursday.
Diamond was a 16-year law enforcement veteran, having also served with the LAPD and Montebello police. He joined the Pomona police in 2006 and was a member of the SWAT team since 2008.
The shooting happened around 4 a.m. at a home in the 100 block of San Marino Drive in San Gabriel, the Pomona Police Department said.
Officers made entry into the home and were immediately met with gunfire, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records.
The 15-year veteran Pomona police officer was reportedly shot in the upper torso and taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena for surgery, where he was listed in very critical condition Tuesday.
One suspect, who reportedly has been previously arrested for domestic violence and weapons charges, was in custody.
The shooting occurred while officers were serving a search warrant that involved “outlaw motorcycle gangs” and were coordinated with multiple agencies and at multiple locations, according to police.
“We are hoping for the best,” Pomona police Lt. Michael Keltner told the Los Angeles Times, on Tuesday “…he is very passionate about law enforcement… He’s a top notch guy.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives are continuing to assist Pomona Police Department investigate the shooting of a Pomona Police Officer during the service of a search warrant Tuesday, , October 28, at approximately 4:00 am.
At the direction of LASD Homicide Bureau, 36 year-old David Martinez, a resident of San Gabriel, was booked by Montebello Police Department for Attempt Murder on a Peace Officer. He is being held in lieu of four million dollars bail.
Suspect Martinez’ criminal history includes assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence and is believed to be a member of the Mongols Motorcycle gang.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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