Two people have been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of Gardiel Solorio, the 26-year-old Monterey Park police officer killed in a gym parking lot in Downey while off duty on Monday afternoon.
Carlos Daniel Delcid was charged with one count each of murder, attempted robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon, District Attorney George Gascón announced during a 2 p.m. press conference in Downtown Los Angeles.
Special circumstances were added for the allegation that the murder was committed during a robbery.
A second individual, age 17, was also arrested for driving the car in which Delcid allegedly left the scene of the crime. That driver is facing charges in juvenile court.
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Solorio was killed in a shooting reported about 3:30 p.m. Monday, in the 12700 block of Lakewood Boulevard near the 105 Freeway.
According to the DA, Solorio was in the parking lot of the gym and had just arrived when Delcid "allegedly got out of a nearby vehicle and appeared to demand Solorio’s personal items."
When Solorio tried to drive away, Delcid allegedly shot at the young off-duty officer five times.
Solorio was a new officer, hired by Monterey Park in January of this year, after graduating from Cal State LA with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
"He was only 26 years old. I don't know about you but I have children that age," said Chief Kelly Gordon of the Monterey Park Police Department during a Tuesday press conference.
"Gardiel was just starting his career in law enforcement and was a rising star who took pride in serving one of our communities when he was tragically murdered," District Attorney Gascón said in a statement released after the press conference. "Senseless gun violence has once again taken someone who pledged to protect others."
Solorio is survived by his mother, father, brothers, sisters and fiancee.
In a Tuesday press conference, authorities shared that they were following leads in the shooting, but could not share details to avoid compromising the investigation.
