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Four police shot dead in Oakland Three Oakland policemen shot dead
(about 3 hours later)
Four police officers have been killed in Oakland, California, after a driver was stopped by traffic officers. Three police officers were killed outright in Oakland, California, after traffic officers stopped a driver.
A 26-year-old man on parole allegedly opened fire on the police after he was pulled over on Saturday afternoon.A 26-year-old man on parole allegedly opened fire on the police after he was pulled over on Saturday afternoon.
The suspect escaped after shooting two officers but was killed himself hours later in a gunfight with police that left two more officers dead. The suspect escaped after shooting two officers but was killed himself hours later in a gunfight with police in which two officers died.
Police say the number of officers killed was the most in a single day in the history of Oakland's police. Police earlier said all four officers had died, but now say one is brain dead and on a life-support machine.
The two officers shot at the scene of the traffic stop were named as Sgt Mark Dunakin, 40, and John Hege, 41.The two officers shot at the scene of the traffic stop were named as Sgt Mark Dunakin, 40, and John Hege, 41.
On Sunday, an Oakland police spokesman announced the death of Mr Hege, who had been listed as in "grave condition" at Highland Hospital the previous night.On Sunday, an Oakland police spokesman announced the death of Mr Hege, who had been listed as in "grave condition" at Highland Hospital the previous night.
But later the same day, spokesman Jeff Thomason told AP news agency Mr Hege was actually being kept alive while a decision was being made about donating his organs.
Two specialist officers who were killed in the assault on the suspect in an apartment were named as Sgt Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt Dan Sakai, 35.Two specialist officers who were killed in the assault on the suspect in an apartment were named as Sgt Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt Dan Sakai, 35.
Police said the suspect, whom they named as Lovelle Mixon, was also killed.
They said it had been the deadliest day for police in Oakland's history.
'Tragic day'
In a statement, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger offered his sympathies to the families of those killed.In a statement, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger offered his sympathies to the families of those killed.
"This is a tragic day for law enforcement officers everywhere," he said, adding that the officers had "dedicated their lives to public safety and selflessly worked to protect the people of Oakland." "This is a tragic day for law enforcement officers everywhere," he said, adding that the officers had "dedicated their lives to public safety and selflessly worked to protect the people of Oakland".
The alleged gunman was named as Lovelle Mixon. He was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon and they had a warrant out for his arrest, police said. Police said Lovelle Mixon had been on parole for assault with a deadly weapon and they had had a warrant out for his arrest.
His cousin, LaTasha Mixon, said Lovelle was "not a monster" and described his family as "devastated" by his death.