HAYWARD, California — A Hayward police officer was killed in the line of duty Wednesday morning after a shootout with a suspect during a traffic stop.
As the Officer approached the vehicle, the driver opened fire.
The Officer has been identified as Sgt. Scott Lunger, a 15-year veteran, the department said.
Hayward police are “heartbroken,” the department said in a statement:
“We are heartbroken to report that Hayward Police Department Sergeant Scott Lunger was killed in the line of duty this morning following a 3:15 AM traffic stop. The loss is obviously devastating to Sergeant Lunger’s family, and it is also a blow to HPD and the entire Hayward Community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
From The L.A. Times: “The manhunt is over and the suspect has been “secured” but not officially taken into custody, said Hayward police Capt. Mark Koller. The man was wounded in the shootout and went to a hospital to receive treatment, where personnel alerted authorities, KRON-TV reported.”
Lunger was killed during a shootout about 3:15 a.m., following a traffic stop at Lion and Myrtle streets, officials said. It’s unclear what lead to the shooting.
The Several law enforcement agencies, Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, Hayward Police and the California Highway Patrol are on scene investigating the shooting.
Officers from numerous departments have arrived to pay their respects at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, where the slain officer was taken.
Police Lieutenant Eric Krimm says the investigation is ongoing.
