Darius Wong dies in fatal Baldwin Park shooting
Fatal Baldwin Park shooting death of Darius Wong – Obituary
Darius Wong, 43, was identified as the civilian victim killed in a deadly shooting in Baldwin Park on Saturday evening, moments before a responding officer was also fatally shot.
According to authorities, Wong had just dropped off his wife and children at a nearby gathering and was attempting to find parking when the incident occurred. Surveillance footage captured him walking along Palm Avenue around 7 p.m., turning onto Filhurst Avenue just before multiple gunshots rang out.
Witnesses reported hearing several loud bangs, initially unsure they were gunshots. Moments later, neighbors discovered Wong lying unresponsive on the sidewalk. Some community members said the confrontation may have stemmed from a dispute over a parking spot, but Wong’s relatives confirmed he had no part in any altercation and was unintentionally caught in the violence.
Additional video recordings showed Wong running for cover before collapsing, just as the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, exchanged fire with police. Officer Samuel Riveros was killed during the confrontation, and Officer Anthony Pimentel was injured but has since been discharged from the hospital.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of Officer Riveros. A vigil honoring the fallen officer is planned for Friday night at the Baldwin Park Police Department. Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial now marks the location where Wong lost his life.
Medina-Berumen is expected to face murder charges in the deaths of both Wong and Officer Riveros.
