Christopher Dorner Manhunt: LAPD Reopens Case That Led to Suspected Cop-Killer's Firing
By: ABC News
Updated: February 10, 2013
The Los Angeles Police Department announced today it will reopen the case of the firing of Christopher Dorner, but said the decision was not made to "appease" the fugitive former cop suspected of killing three people.
Dorner, a fired and disgruntled former Los Angeles police officer, said in the so-called "manifesto" he released that he was targeting LAPD officials and their families and will keep killing until the truth is known about his case.
"I have no doubt that the law enforcement community will bring to an end the reign of terror perpetrated on our region by Christopher Jordan Dorner and he will be held accountable for his evil actions," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said in a statement released tonight.
He spoke of the "tremendous strides" the LAPD has made in regaining public trust after numerous scandals, but added: "I am aware of the ghosts of the LAPD's past and one of my biggest concerns is that they will be resurrected by Dorner's allegations of racism within the Department."
To do that, he said, full re-investigation of the case that led to Dorner's firing is necessary.
"I feel we need to also publicly address Dorner's allegations regarding his termination of employment, and to do so I have directed our Professionals Standards Bureau and my Special Assistant for Constitutional Policing to completely review the Dorner complaint of 2007; To include a re-examination of all evidence and a re-interview of witnesses," he said. "We will also investigate any allegations made in his manifesto which were not included in his original complaint.
"I do this not to appease a murderer. I do it to reassure the public that their police department is transparent and fair in all the things we do."
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As police searched for Dorner today in the San Bernardino Mountains, sources told ABC News that investigators found two AR-15 assault rifles in the burned-out truck Dorner abandoned.
The truck had a broken axle, which may be the reason he decided to set fire to it, the police sources said.
A man identifying himself as Dorner taunted the father of Monica Quan four days after the former LAPD officer allegedly killed her and just 11 hours after he allegedly killed a police officer in Riverside, Calif., according to court documents obtained by ABC News
A man claiming to be Dorner called Randall Quan and told him that that he "should have done a better job of protecting his daughter," according to the documents.
In his 6,000-word "manifesto," Dorner named Randal Quan, a retired LAPD captain and attorney who represented him before a police review board that led to Dorner's dismissal from the force.
"I never had an opportunity to have a family of my own, I'm terminating yours," Dorner wrote, and directed Quan and other officials to "[l]ook your wives/husbands and surviving children directly in the face and tell them the truth as to why your children are dead."
Monica Quan and her fianc Keith Lawrence were gunned down last Sunday in their car in the parking of their Irvine, Calif., condominium complex. Both were struck with multiple gunshot wounds.
The call, according to court records, was traced to Vancouver, Wash., but law enforcement officials do not believe Dorner was there at the time at the call.
Dorner is believed to have made the call early Thursday afternoon, less than half a day after he is suspected of killing a police officer and wounding two others early that morning, sparking an unprecedented man hunt involving more than a thousand police officers and federal agents spanning hundreds of miles.
Today the search continued search continues on Bear Mountain, Dorner's last suspected location. His burned-out truck was discovered there Thursday at 8:30 a.m., four hours before the call to Quan.
Law enforcement officials tell ABC News some evidence suggests the truck may have been torched and abandoned after it experienced mechanical difficulties.
Search teams comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement officials are combing the mountain on foot, using search dogs and helicopters equipped with infrared cameras.
Teams are going door to door to search nearly 400 homes in the area.
Rugged terrain and a snow storm have hampered efforts to hunt for Dorner, but officials say they have no reason to believe Dorner has left the Big Bear area, even though he has not been seen there.
READ: LA Cops Dismiss Claims in Alleged Killer Chris Dorner's 'Self-Serving' Manifesto
Dorner, law enforcement sources say, could pose a threat to aviation security. A bulletin issued by the Transportation Security Administration urges aircraft and airport owners and operators to use "an increased level of awareness concerning any suspicious activity during the coming days."Dorner, the bulletin says, is believed to have received "flight training during his time in the Navy, but the extent of his potential flying skills is unknown.
The "be on the lookout" alert tells operators to secure unattended aircraft and report persons "masquerading as pilots, security personnel, emergency medical technicians, or other personnel using uniforms and/or vehicles as methods to gain access to aviation facilities or aircraft."
Dorner is believed to have had access to military and police uniforms.
READ: Christopher Dorner's Police Training Makes Him a Lethal Adversary
Saturday, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made a direct appeal to Dorner, telling ABC News, "Mr. Dorner, if you're watching, turn yourself in. You've caused a great deal of death and destruction. It's time that you turn yourself in."
Police described Dorner as black, 6-feet tall and weighing 270 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
