Bullets Fly in Monterey Park, Officer Hit

Authorities Monday identified a man who was killed in a shootout with Monterey Park police.

Edgar Battad, 63, of Monterey Park, was fatally wounded about 4 p.m. Sunday, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said.

Officers responding to a report of a hit-and-run crash and a stabbing victim at Garfield and Newmark avenues came under fire, triggering the shootout, which also left an officer and two civilians wounded, the sheriff's department reported.

Authorities recovered a .44-caliber Magnum handgun at the scene, Whitmore said.

Early reports indicating there was a second suspect were later determined to be unfounded, said Deputy Benjamin Grubb of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.

When officers arrived at the scene, a gunman opened fire on them and they returned fire, according to Grubb, who said the wounded officer was taken to a hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury.

Two bystanders were also wounded, Grubb said, and the stabbing victim was treated at a hospital.

Sheriff's homicide detectives were assisting the Monterey Park Police Department with the investigation.