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Police officer killed in US siege Police officer killed in US siege
(40 minutes later)
A US police officer has been shot dead in Los Angeles during an ongoing siege involving a man who claims he has killed three relatives.A US police officer has been shot dead in Los Angeles during an ongoing siege involving a man who claims he has killed three relatives.
The standoff began at 2100 local time (0500 GMT) on Wednesday. Around 200 officers had surrounded the house.The standoff began at 2100 local time (0500 GMT) on Wednesday. Around 200 officers had surrounded the house.
The dead officer was from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit which had been called to the house. A second officer was badly hurt.The dead officer was from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit which had been called to the house. A second officer was badly hurt.
It is still not known if the gunman has killed his family members.It is still not known if the gunman has killed his family members.
Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said the two shot officers had been inside the house, but police were able to get them out. They were rushed to hospital, but one died.Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said the two shot officers had been inside the house, but police were able to get them out. They were rushed to hospital, but one died.
He did not explain how they had got inside the home in the Winnetka area of Los Angeles. He did not explain how they had got inside the home in Winnetka, north of LA city.
He also said the other officer had been seriously wounded and was undergoing surgery, but was expected to survive.He also said the other officer had been seriously wounded and was undergoing surgery, but was expected to survive.
'Horrible tragedy'
The dead officer has been named as 51-year-old Randal Simmons, and the wounded officer as James Veenstra, also 51.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he had visited the family of the dead officer.Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he had visited the family of the dead officer.
"This is a very horrible tragedy and our hearts go out to all the members of the LAPD who also are grieving at this time," he said."This is a very horrible tragedy and our hearts go out to all the members of the LAPD who also are grieving at this time," he said.
American broadcaster ABC said both of the officers had been with the SWAT unit for more than 20 years, and this was the first SWAT officer killed in the line of duty in the unit's 27-year history. American broadcaster ABC said both of the officers had been with the LAPD SWAT unit for more than 20 years, and this was the first SWAT officer killed in the line of duty since the unit began in 1967.
Officers have tried using tear gas and a battering ram to gain entry into the home, which is said to be on fire.