[UPDATED with I.D.:] Joseph Paul Oregero Points Shotgun at Cops, Has Death Wish Granted
Categories: Crime-iny
See update at the end of this post identifying the gunman.
ORIGINAL POST, AUG. 21, 8:55 A.M.: The Placentia Police Department says a man who was shot to death by SWAT team members as he pointed a shotgun at officers Monday afternoon essentially had a death wish.
The man, who has not been identified pending notification of next of kin, would choose to "kill or be killed" rather than return to jail, police claim the friends advised.
Members of a multi-agency, auto-theft task force had been tailing the man when he ducked into a trailer behind a home in the 100 block of Orchid Drive, near North Bradford Avenue, according to police, who do not know if that is where he resided.
That led to a stand-off just before 3 p.m. that had negotiators trying to coax the man out and his friends contacting police to say he had an open warrant, a shotgun and no desire to return to jail without bullets flying, authorities said.
He apparently got his wish after pointing the shotgun at cops who, fearing for their safety, opened fire. He later died at the hospital.
Placentia Police say the fellow had past convictions for violent felonies and drug-related crimes. As is routine in officer-involved shootings, the Orange County District Attorney's office is investigating.
UPDATE, AUG. 21, 2:36 P.M.: Police have identified the man officers shot to death Monday afternoon as Joseph Paul Oregero, 57, of Placentia.
The weapon Oregero is said to have pointed at officers was a double-barreled shotgun, police added.
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The man, who has not been identified pending notification of next of kin, would choose to "kill or be killed" rather than return to jail, police claim the friends advised.
Members of a multi-agency, auto-theft task force had been tailing the man when he ducked into a trailer behind a home in the 100 block of Orchid Drive, near North Bradford Avenue, according to police, who do not know if that is where he resided.
That led to a stand-off just before 3 p.m. that had negotiators trying to coax the man out and his friends contacting police to say he had an open warrant, a shotgun and no desire to return to jail without bullets flying, authorities said.
He apparently got his wish after pointing the shotgun at cops who, fearing for their safety, opened fire. He later died at the hospital.
Placentia Police say the fellow had past convictions for violent felonies and drug-related crimes. As is routine in officer-involved shootings, the Orange County District Attorney's office is investigating.
UPDATE, AUG. 21, 2:36 P.M.: Police have identified the man officers shot to death Monday afternoon as Joseph Paul Oregero, 57, of Placentia.
The weapon Oregero is said to have pointed at officers was a double-barreled shotgun, police added.
Follow OC Weekly on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!
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