LA deputy shot in Long Beach was homicide victim, police say

San Jose Mercury News/AP ^ | March 29, 2006 | Staff

[La Enchiladita]

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Detectives investigating the fatal shooting of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy determined she was shot by someone else rather than accidentally by her own gun, authorities said Wednesday.

They also said robbery was a possible motive, adding they don't believe Maria Cecelia Rosa was killed because of her law enforcement affiliation.

Rosa, 30, a six-year department veteran, was found slumped over the open trunk of her car early Tuesday with a gunshot wound to her upper body. The shooting occurred in a friend's driveway.

Sheriff Lee Baca initially said the positions of Rosa's body and condition of her gun suggested she may have accidentally fired it as she loaded equipment into her car.

But investigators said Wednesday that Rosa's gun had not been fired and that they found evidence to show that someone else shot her, said Long Beach police Officer Nancy Pratt.

"It is definitely no longer an accidental death," Baca told KCAL-TV.

"We are clear that she received at least two .22-caliber projectiles into her body, which are the cause of her death," Baca said.

[La Enchiladita]

Officer down occurred yesterday, March 28.

[Just Lori]

Sad ping. So very young. God rest her soul.

[babygene]

I wonder if she was invoved in some drug deal... Even the bad guys don't shoot people for no reason.

I guess we'll find out.

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

"Even the bad guys don't shoot people for no reason"

Yes, sometimes they do.

[babygene]

"Yes, sometimes they do."

Well, there's always a motive. And in LA it's (almost) always drugs...

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

Sometimes the motive is just a cheap thrill.

[La Enchiladita]

What makes you so knowledgeable about L.A.?

[babygene]

"Sometimes the motive is just a cheap thrill."

Gangbangers don't usually pack 22's. A 22 slug would indicate either a professional hit or family/boy friend problems.

[babygene]

"What makes you so knowledgeable about L.A.?'

I've lived there...

[La Enchiladita]

Well, in this instance, you are speculating.

I don't appreciate you casting aspersions on a peace officer you know nothing about. Nothing.

Neither do other peace officers.

[wafflehouse]

why would a .22 indicate a professional job? i would think they would go for something bigger

[babygene]

"Well, in this instance, you are speculating."

Of course I'm speculating. That's how crimes are solved. Since you said "Neither do OTHER peace officers", you are implying that you are one... So you should know that.

[babygene]

" i would think they would go for something bigger"

Nope... A 22 is quite and effective. A larger caliber is over kill and the report draws attention.

[La Enchiladita]

No, I'm not. But I was told about this incident by an officer.

I'm not an investigator either. But it makes sense to me that you would look at evidence before jumping to conclusions.

[La Enchiladita]

The report says that at least two different neighbors heard the shots.

[bybybill]

Well, now we know what will be Gretas show for the next few years. Call me when it`s over.

[BurbankKarl]

I can say Lee Baca is an idiot can't I? All the press closed the book on this one after his speculation that she accident shot herself....twice.

[JoeSixPack1]

But it makes sense to me that you would look at evidence before jumping to conclusions.

Tell that to Lee Baca. The idiot.

[babygene]

"But it makes sense to me that you would look at evidence before jumping to conclusions."

I'm not jumping to conclusions, I'm (as you said earlier) speculating. Which is exactly how the "evidence" will be developed.