Police and Alleged Cop Killer Dorner in Firefight

Rogue former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, who shot five people over the last week and killed three, including a police officer, has apparently been tracked down to a cabin near the 7 Oaks area near Big Bear. Dorner reportedly broke into a home, tied up the couple living there, and then stole their white Dodge pickup truck. When the San Bernadino County sheriffs responded to the vehicle theft; officers then got into a gun battle with Dorner. Two deputies have been shot and injured. “There are deputies everywhere on the ground and on foot,” says the San Bernardino County sheriff’s spokeswoman.

We will bring you updates as this breaking story unfolds.

UPDATE: The two deputies who were wounded have been airlifted out of Big Bear for medical care. Meanwhile, details are emerging about Dorner’s flight. After breaking into the cabin mentioned above and taking two people hostage, he stole their truck and left them; they then broke loose and informed police about the situation. The Los Angeles Times reports:

Dorner crashed the truck during the ensuing chase and allegedly exchanged gunfire with the officers as he fled into another cabin, where he was quickly surrounded by San Bernardino sheriff’s deputies. The source said one deputy was hit as Dorner fired out of the cabin and a second was injured when Dorner exited the back of the cabin, deployed a smoke bomb and opened fire again in an apparent attempt to flee. Dorner was driven back inside the cabin, the source said.

UPDATE II: CBS News reports that one of the deputies has died.

UPDATE III: Protesters have been showing up in Big Bear carrying signs asking police not to shoot Dorner. Meanwhile, the cabin in which Dorner is believed to be hiding is clearly on fire, with smoke billowing into the air.

UPDATE IV: CNN reporting that ammunition is exploding inside the cabin. According to LAist, police believe it is possibility that Dorner may have fled the cabin: “Fresh footprints were spotted lading to a nearby horse corral.”

UPDATE V: ABC News reports a single gunshot was heard after the fire broke out. A SWAT vehicle is apparently being used to break down the walls of the cabin. KCBS reporting that SWAT members have walked away from the cabin with guns lowered. Unverified reports from Los Angeles media say that Dorner has been killed.