Ex-Los Angeles Cop Goes Ballistic

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright Feb. 11, 2013
All Rights Reserved.                                         

           When Cal State Fullerton’s 28-year-old Asst. women’s basketball coach Monica Quan and her fiancée Randy Lawrence, 27, were found shot dead in the their Kia Sunday, Feb. 3 in the parking lot of their Irvine apartment complex, no one knew the extent of the rampage of former Los Angeles Police Department officer 33-year-old Christopher Dorner.  In his manifesto posted on the Internet, Dorner threatened Randy Quan, a retired LAPD officer-turned attorney who represented Dorner in 2009 at a Board of Rights hearing, and 12 other LAPD officers.  Dorner blamed Quan for his dismissal for making false charges against his superior, according to LAPD Capt. William Hayes.  “Your lack of ethics and conspiring to wrong a just individual are over.  Suppressing the truth will lead to deadly consequences for you and your family,” said Dorner, making good on his promise to harm Quan’s family.

             After killing Quan and Lawernce, Dorner tried to hijack a boat Thursday, Feb. 7 at a San Diego yacht club before fleeing to Corona where he ambushed two LAPD officers, killing a 34-year old ex-marine, 11-year veteran Michael Crain, injuring his 27-year-old partner.  Dorner was believed to have also shot at two Riverside policemen   Police officials speculate that Dorner was trying to flee by boat to Mexico.  “They were on a routine patrol stopped at a light when they were ambushed,” said Riverside Police Dept. spokesman Guy Toussant.  Dorner’s LAPD badge and identification care were found near the San Diego Airport Feb. 7., supplying more proof of his identity.  “We are taking all measure possible to ensure safety of our officers and their families,” said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, acknowledging Dorner’s manifesto promising to terrorize the LAPD for terminating his employment.

             Dorner’s manifesto outlines his grievance and gives free X-Ray into his motive and deranged personality.  “I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in the LAPD uniform whether on our off duty,” creating the terrorist environment now tormenting the LAPD.  It’s the element of surprise that makes terrorism so anxiety-provoking, not knowing when or where he’ll attack again.  Giving more insights in his online rant:  “I have never had the opportunity to have a family of my own,” read his manifesto.  “I’m terminating yours,” referring directly to retired LAPD officer Randy Quan.  When Dorner talks of not having “a family of his own,” it mirrors the profile of other ballistic killers, showing deteriorated social relationships, often loners without social support systems.  Extreme paranoia and envy drive the rage that sometimes results in serial killing or mass murder.

             When authorities found Dorner’s burning pickup truck Feb. 7 near Bear Mountain in the San Bernadino Mountains 80 miles east of Los Angeles, an intense manhunt commenced in a blinding snowstorm.  “He could be anywhere, at this point, and that ‘s why we’re searching door-to-door,” said San Bernadino County Sheriff John McMahon.  Armed, dangerous and desperate, Dorner recently finished a stint in the Navy Reserves, winning him marksmanship awards and survival skills.  At 6 feet and 270 pounds, he’s seen as extremely dangerous.  Setting a $1 million reward, the LAPD hopes to accelerate the public’s involvement leading to Dorner’s capture and arrest. “This is not about catching a fugitive suspect, it’s about preventing future crime, most likely a murder,” said Beck, underscoring the LAPD’s urgency.  “This is an act, make no mistake about it, of domestic terrorism.”

             Beck correctly refers to Dorner as a “domestic terrorist,” highlighting his cold ways of ambushing unsuspecting victims.  Dorner’s escape into the San Bernadino Mountains came immediately after his murder of an LAPD officer and attack on two Riverside police officers.  Fleeing into a rugged mountain terrain was a safer bet than trying to escape somewhere in the more open desert.  While now on the run with hundreds of LAPD, Los Angeles County Sheriffs, Riverside and San Bernadino police in hot pursuit, Dorner now finds out what it’s like to be hunted, after getting a head-start on calling the shots.  Fleeing for his life, Dorner knows that his next encounter with law enforcement will likely cost his life.  Whatever drives Dorner, his twisted but calculating ways show that he’s a cold-blooded killer hell-bent on exacting revenge. Like most psychopaths, he feels entitled to kill.

             Tracking down Dorner is no easy matter for law enforcement, especially knowing that he’s armed, skillful and highly lethal.  When police officers crack and go over the deep end, it creates special problems for law enforcement, especially his marksmanship and survival skills.  While no one knows his exact whereabouts yet, Beck believes he’s still somewhere in the Big Bear area.  “We have nothing currently better,” said Beck, though pursuing leads and sightings in various spots in Southern California, including Lowe’s Home Center in the San Fernando Valley.  “Our dedication to catch this killer remains steadfast.  Our confidence remains unshaken,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  “We will not tolerate this reign of terror,” highlighting the present danger.  Given Dorner’s lethal threat, it’s doubtful that he’ll surrender without going down in a blaze of glory.

 John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.