 
Officer Randal Simmons died this morning Officer James Veenstra was critically wounded
LOS ANGELES (AP) - There's one survivor from a long standoff at a Los Angeles area home from late Wenesday night to Thursday morning that left five people dead, including a police SWAT officer and a gunman.
Police say a woman who had been hiding inside the suburban home during much of the 11-hour ordeal survived. She ran from the home as police used tear gas and a battering ram to get inside.
The house eventually caught fire, although authorities say they're not sure if the blaze was caused by one of their explosive devices or if the gunman ignited it. They say he later died in a final exchange of gunfire.
The standoff began after the man had called 911 and claimed he had killed three relatives. He opened fire on the SWAT officers as they entered the house where he had barricaded himself.
One officer, Randall Simmons, was killed -- becoming the first Los Angeles SWAT officer to die in the line of duty in the unit's 41-year history.
A second officer who was wounded, James Veenstra, has undergone surgery and is expected to survive.
During the shootout, officers found three men. They took one of them out of the house -- a man who appeared to be alive -- but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
They say the gunman made no contact with officers, and made no effort to surrender.
Simmons, a 20-year veteran of LAPD's elite SWAT unit, was known to fellow officers as ``the rock.'' At church, he was called ``Minister Randy'' and was a mentor to thousands of children. At home, he was a husband and a dad.
Veenstra was shot in the face during the gun battle and was in stable condition after surgery at Northridge Medical Center, doctors said.
``The caliber of these officers is incredible. They represent the best of the best,'' police Chief William Bratton told reporters.
Veenstra is married to police Capt. Michelle Veenstra. She was at his side after surgery. She told KCAL-TV that her husband's mouth was wired shut, but he was communicating with notes. He was looking better by the minute, she said.
``He's exactly what we all expect a police officer to be. He's a man of honor, integrity and strength. He lays his life down on a daily basis for all of Los Angeles, people he knows and people doesn't know,'' she said.
Those who knew Simmons echoed similar feelings.
He had been with LAPD for over 27 years, Bratton said. For the last 12, he served as assistant SWAT squad leader, ``serving as mentor and peer leader to other members of the team.''
Bratton said Simmons' commanding officer once called him ``the rock on which all others sought to anchor themselves.''
Trust funds were established at the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union for the families of the two officers, and donations can be made in two ways.
Donations can be made by visiting the Web site www.lapfcu.org and clicking on the red square titled ``LAPFCU Community Corner.''
Donations can also be sent to:
-- LAPFCU, Blue Ribbon Trust Fund/Officer Randal Simmons, Account 2030077-product code S4.12, 16150 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91410;
-- LAPFCU, Blue Ribbon Trust Fund/Officer James Veenstra, Account 2030077-product code S4.13, 16150 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91410.
For information about the trust funds, call (877) 695-2732. |
