Los Angeles police have launched what may be the largest manhunt in their history in pursuit of a heavily armed former officer wanted in connection with three deaths.
The wanted man, Christopher Dorner, has threatened to wage “warfare” on those who have wronged him, authorities said.
Thousands of police officers hunted for the former Los Angeles officer angry over his firing and who is believed to be armed with several weapons including an assault rifle.
Authorities issued a state-wide “officer safety warning” while police were sent to protect people named in a manifesto believed to be written by the fired officer, who has military training.
Los Angeles police chief Charlie Beck said more than 40 protection details have been assigned to possible targets and claimed the manhunt may be the largest in the department’s history.
Among those mentioned in Dorner’s writings were members of the Los Angeles Police Department.
“I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty,” the manifesto says.
The search for Dorner, who was fired in 2008 for making false statements, began after he was linked to a weekend killing in which one victim was the daughter of a former police captain who had represented him during his disciplinary hearing.
Authorities believe Dorner also opened fire on police in cities east of Los Angeles on Thursday, killing an officer and wounding another.
Police said Dorner (33) implicated himself in the killings with the multi-page manifesto.
In a Facebook post, Dorner said he knew he would be vilified by the police department and the news media, but that “unfortunately, this is a necessary evil that I do not enjoy but must partake and complete for substantial change to occur within the LAPD and reclaim my name”.