LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva was first to announce that two arrests had been made late Tuesday night by Downey police.
The arrests were made in connection with the murder of off-duty California Police rookie, Officer Gardiel Solorio. The announcement was made at a press conference on the evening of August 10th. District Attorney George Gascón said that two arrests had been made in connection to the fatal shooting of officer Gardiel Solorio.
Off-duty Monterey Park police officer Gardiel Solorio was shot and killed earlier this week by convicted felon Carlos del Cid in a failed robbery attempt just outside of a local gym.
According to Gascón, Solorio was excessively shot five times after he resisted del Cid.
Del Cid will face charges of murder and possession of a firearm as a felon. An unnamed 17-year-old accomplice of Del Cid will also face related charges for his role as the “wheelman,” or getaway driver, during the robbery attempt. If convicted, he will face life in prison.
Detectives with @DowneyPolice have arrested Carlos del Cid (sp?) for the murder of off-duty @MontereyParkPD Officer Gardiel Solorio on Monday. @foxla
— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) August 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/GigiGraciette/status/1557476270471987200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In addition to one count of murder, del Cid (sp?) will face additional special circumstance charges including possession of a firearm by a felon. DA says they will be seeking life in prison for del Cid. @foxla
— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) August 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/GigiGraciette/status/1557478066665824256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
LA district attorney announces an arrest/charges against the suspect who is believed to be responsible for the murder of #MontereyPark police officer Gardiel Solorio. pic.twitter.com/jyEQYHc9yS
— AlexVnews (@alexvnews) August 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/alexvnews/status/1557476814481567744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Officer Solorio, who had just finished the academy, was a new recruit to the Monterey Park Police. The Monterey Park Police Chief Kelly Gordon spoke briefly at the conference on how the department was handling the loss.
“Gardiel grew up in the city of Bell Gardens. He was 26 at the time of this senseless tragedy. He was a graduate of Cal State University Los Angeles. He had a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice,” Gordon said.
Witnesses at the scene of the crime were unable to provide any real useful information at the time of the incident.
The little that could be discerned from those present at the shooting could only describe the shooter as wearing a mask and hoodie.
“We can’t release too much, we are definitely looking for a suspect right now. There might be multiple suspects,” said Downey Police Captain Scott Loughner at a press conference about the shooting on Tuesday August 9th. One day later and two killers are now in custody.
