Christopher Dorner, murder suspect manhunt has led to two mistaken identity police shootings

2013-02-07T21:00:48.113Z

KABC) -- A murder suspect manhunt has led to two mistaken identity police shootings in Torrance Monday.

The first shooting occurred in the 19500 block of Redbeam Avenue at 5:20 a.m.

Authorities said officers came across vehicles similar to the one sought by authorities searching for Christopher Dorner, a former LAPD officer suspected of killing three people.

Dorner, 33, posted a manifesto on Facebook outlining plans to kill the families of those who wronged him. LAPD officers were guarding one of the officers on Dorner's manifesto hit list when a blue Toyota truck matching the suspect's vehicle drove up to the scene. Police opened fire and aimed dozens of rounds at the occupants of the truck who they mistakenly believed to be Dorner's.

Two uninvolved female civilians inside the vehicle were wounded and rushed to local hospitals. One injured female victim suffered a minor bullet wound, and the second female victim was shot twice in the back and reported in stable condition.

The victims are said to be OK but the barrage of bullets shook residents from their sleep. Howard Lee of Torrance was asleep when he said he heard "a lot of rapid fire."

According to surrounding residents, the women regularly deliver newspapers in the neighborhood.

LAPD Chief said the area was on heightened patrol due to Dorner's manifesto and the Inland Empire police officer shootings.

"The LAPD officers assigned observed a vehicle matching the suspect's vehicle driving down the street with the lights turned out," Beck said. "Officers approached the vehicle and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Tragically, we believe that this was a case of mistaken identity by the officers."

Torrance police were involved in a second shooting near Flager Lane and Beryl Street a short time later. The incident involved a different truck they mistakenly believed to be Dorner's. No one was hurt in the shooting.

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Christopher Dorner, murder suspect manhunt has led to two mistaken identity police shootings