Possible Sighting of Christopher Dorner Leads to Store Evacuation
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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — A Northridge, Calif., home improvement store was evacuated Sunday night because of a possible sighting of suspected cop-killer Christopher Dorner, just hours after police announced a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
As helicopters hovered overhead and a command center was established, police searched the Lowe’s store and eventually told shoppers they could leave but could not take their cars out of the parking lot. An “all clear” was called at around 8:30 p.m. local time.
Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Gus Villanueva said the major response to the possible sighting was a precaution, but couldn’t say whether Dorner was in the area.
The announcement of the $1 million reward on Sunday came as authorities in Big Bear, Calif., scaled back their search for Dorner, the disgruntled ex-cop who is suspected in three revenge killings.
“This is the largest local reward ever offered, to our knowledge,” Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said at a news conference on Sunday. “This is an act of domestic terrorism. This is a man who has targeted those that we entrust to protect the public. His actions cannot go unanswered.”
The money for the reward was pooled by businesses, government, local law enforcement leaders and individual donors, Beck said.
The reward comes on the fourth day of a manhunt for Dorner, who has left Southern California on edge after he allegedly went on a killing spree last week to avenge his firing from the police force. Dorner outlined his grievances in a 6,000-word so-called “manifesto” and said he will keep killing until the truth is known about his case.
Dorner’s threats have prompted the LAPD to provide more than 50 law enforcement families with security and surveillance detail, Beck said.
Authorities are chasing leads, however they declined to say where in order to not impede the investigation.
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