Update: 05/11/21 12:30p.m.
San Luis Obispo Police have released the names of the officers involved in an active shooting incident on Monday, May 10.
Detective Luca Benedetti was shot and killed Monday while serving a search warrant to an apartment on Camellia Court in San Luis Obispo.
“Yesterday I had to share the most difficult news I’ve ever had to deliver,” said Derek Johnson, San Luis Obispo City Manager at a press conference. “That our community lost one of the dedicated servants while doing his job and keeping the community safe.”
Another officer, Detective Steve Orozco, was injured during the incident and was transported to Sierra Vista Hospital where he was released Monday evening.
San Luis Obispo Police said six SLOPD officers served the search warrant.
Acting Police Chief Brian Amoroso said at a press conference May 11 that the search warrant was for possible stolen property related to a series of burglaries that occurred over the past week.
The suspected shooter has been identified as Edward Zamora Giron. Amaroso said that after officers identified themselves, they forced the door open and Giron, who was lying in wait, opened fire on the officers.
According to San Luis Obispo Police, Giron was later found dead inside the apartment with an apparent self-inflicted, fatal gunshot wound as well as other wounds from officers returning fire.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office will be working with the District Attorney’s Office to continue investigating the incident.
Update 5/10/21 at 10:45 p.m.
A San Luis Obispo Police Officer was shot and killed and another was shot and is in stable condition as of Monday night following a shooting at an apartment building on Camellia Court.
The suspected shooter was killed by police, according to a City of San Luis Obispo press release. Police have not released the names of the officers or the suspect.
The shooting occurred as both officers were serving a search warrant.
The shooting brought a sizable police presence to the residential neighborhood off Margarita Avenue.
“This is a tragedy beyond measure for all of those who serve and care about our community,” said San Luis Obispo City Manager Derek Johnson in a statement.
Higuera Street was shut down and police cordoned off the area around the apartment building as a crime scene.
Developing story last updated 5/10/21 at 7:50 p.m.
San Luis Obispo Police were serving a search warrant when two officers were shot at an apartment complex near the area of South Higuera Street and Margarita Avenue.
According to James Blattler, public information officer for the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department, the suspect is dead and there is no threat to public safety. Blattler did not provide details about the condition of the officers.
Witnesses reported hearing shots at about 5:20 p.m. near an apartment complex on Camellia Court near the area of South Higuera Street and Margarita Avenue.
South Higuera Street is closed to traffic at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and Margarita Avenue is blocked, as well.
Law enforcement are asking the public to avoid the area.
