LANCASTER (CNS) – A sheriff’s sergeant responding to a residential
burglary call was shot and fatally wounded today near an apartment complex in
Lancaster, and a parolee was taken into custody about 90 minutes later and
hospitalized with a gunshot wound.
Sgt. Steve Owen, 53, was gunned down about 12:30 p.m. in the 3200 block
of West Avenue J-7 and died at a hospital, according to the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department.
Owen, a married father of two grown children, was a 29-year department
veteran who had been promoted to sergeant five years ago.
Owen received a Meritorious Conduct Medal in 2014, along with five of
his Lancaster Station colleagues, for their roles in a pursuit and standoff
situation involving a series of armed gang members.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris told the Los Angeles Times that Owen, who
had worked in the Antelope Valley for more than 20 years, had been shot in the
face.
A deputy who was injured — but not shot — apparently when the suspect
tried to commandeer the fallen sergeant’s patrol car, was also taken to a
hospital, according to the sheriff’s department. The deputy’s name was not
released.
Sheriff’s SWAT deputies were involved in the search for the suspect, who
sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body and was taken by ambulance to a
hospital. His name was not immediately released.
No other suspects were being sought, according to the sheriff’s department.
“We were fortunate in being able to find his wife, who is an Arson-
Explosives (Detail) detective in our department, and get her to the hospital
… before Steve succumbed,” sheriff’s Executive Officer Neal Tyler told
reporters.
Owen’s son and daughter, as well his mother, were also at his bedside,
Tyler said.
“The tragedy of a deputy sheriff such as Sergeant Steve Owen making the
ultimate sacrifice has a massive impact on the whole law enforcement
family,” according to a statement from Sheriff Jim McDonnell, who was cutting
short a trip to Hawaii because of the death.
“We all mourn together and our hearts go out especially to Steve’s
immediate family Tania (his wife), his two adult sons Brandon and Chad, a
stepdaughter Shannon and his mother Millie.”
Capt. Steven Katz of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said Owen responded
shortly after noon to a residential burglary call.
“While they were containing that location, gunfire was heard from the
rear of the location where the burglary was occurring and emergency radio
traffic was immediately dispatched,” Katz said.
“The deputy at the front of the apartment complex ran … in the
direction of that gunfire, where he found Sgt. Owen suffering from a gunshot
wound. The suspect fled from that area and the deputy gave chase on foot.”
The suspect then ran to the front of the location and attempted to
commandeer the sergeant’s patrol car, prompting a deputy to open fire, Katz
said.
“The suspect placed that car into reverse and rammed the second radio
car at the location,” Katz said. “A second deputy-involved-shooting occurred
at that time. The suspect fled from that vehicle on foot.”
It’s unclear if Owen was able to fire any shots at the suspect, Katz said.
A large cordon was established to contain the suspect, who entered
another home where two teen children were inside, Katz said.
The teens “were ultimately able to inform law enforcement of the
presence of the suspect at that location.” Katz said, adding that a firearm
was recovered.
During the suspect search, officials at Antelope Valley College — which
is a few blocks south of the shooting scene — advised students and staff to
“shelter in place” and several area schools, including Lancaster High School,
were placed on lockdown.
County Supervisor Mike Antonovich called Owen “an outstanding law
enforcement professional who I had the opportunity to know and work with.”
“He was a husband and father who was respected by his colleagues and
engaged in his community. He was senselessly murdered while responding to a
call for help,” Antonovich said. “His loss leaves a significant void for all
who knew him.”
Supervisor Hilda Solis, the board’s chair, also issued a condolence
message and said county flags would be flown at half-staff for one week.
Owen’s community involvement included youth activities, Tyler said.
The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs issued a statement
saying its members will be grieving the loss of their well-respected colleague.
“Los Angeles County deputy sheriffs put their lives at risk every time
the put on the uniform,” according to the union. “This horrible tragedy is
another reminder of the dangers and sacrifice law enforcement personnel face
protecting the county’s citizens and businesses.”
Parris, who went to the hospital to keep vigil with Owen’s family,
issued a statement late this afternoon saying he was “completely outraged by
the cowardly act which took place today.”
“Antelope Valley hero, Sergeant Steve Owen, represents the epitome of
excellence in law enforcement,” Parris wrote.
“Sergeant Owen has served our community for more than 20 years, earning
such honors as the Meritorious Conduct Medal, which speaks to his dedication
to fulfilling his duties in making the Antelope Valley a safer place.”
Shunnon Thomas, president of the Antelope Valley branch of the NAACP,
also offered condolences to Owens’ family.
“It is a great loss for the department and the people of the Antelope
Valley,” he said.
Gov. Jerry Brown also sent his condolences and said flags in the state
Capitol would be flown at half-staff.
“A courageous and decorated hero risked his life for the last time
today,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
A vigil was held for Owen tonight at the Lancaster Station.
Katz called it “a very dark day” for the sheriff’s department.
“We’re all suffering right now,” Katz said while noting that Owen was
involved in the sheriff’s mounted enforcement unit and was a field supervisor
“It doesn’t get worse than this.”
LANCASTER (CNS) – Sheriff’s officials say the sergeant who died was Sgt. Steve Owen, 53. He was among the deputies who responded to a reported burglary. He worked at the Lancaster station for five years.
A suspect was taken into custody about 90 minutes later. The shooting was reported about 12:30 p.m. in the 3200 block of West Avenue J-7, the sheriff’s department reported. The sergeant and a deputy who was hurt, but was not shot, were both taken to a hospital, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. Their names were not released. The sergeant was in grave condition, according to the Los Angeles Times, which reported that the mayor of Lancaster said the lawman was shot in the face. Sheriff’s SWAT deputies were involved in the search for the suspect, who was shown on a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance. His name was not immediately released. No other suspects were being, according to the sheriff’s department. A sheriff’s patrol car parked near a carport had at least five bullet holes in the windshield. During the suspect search, officials at Antelope Valley College — which is a few blocks south of the shooting scene — advised students and staff to “shelter in place” and several area schools were placed on lockdown.