Southern California gang member kills officer, police say

LOS ANGELES — A gang member who was recently freed from jail killed his cousin and stole his car Monday, then shot and killed a police officer and wounded his partner before being wounded himself, authorities said.

Whittier Officer Keith Lane Boyer died and Officer Patrick Hazel was wounded when they answered a report of a traffic accident in the eastern Los Angeles County suburb.

The man then pulled a semiautomatic handgun from his waistband and opened fire at the officers, who were wearing bulletproof vests and shot back, Corina said.

The suspect, a 26-year-old gang member, had a history of serious crimes and had been granted early release from Los Angeles County jail about a week ago, Corina said.