CHP Officer Andre Moye, Jr. was killed during a horrific shootout with Aaron Luther in Riverside, California, Monday afternoon.
Luther also died during the shooting. The CHP officer’s body was driven from the hospital to the morgue with hundreds of law enforcers behind as an homage to the fallen hero.
Two other California Highway Patrol officers were seriously injured during the incident. Two civilians, whose identities have not also been revealed, suffered minor injuries.
According to a statement issued by Riverside police, it was revealed that the CHP officer conducted a traffic stop of the suspect who was driving a GMC pickup truck.
Moye decided to impound the vehicle, which pushed Luther to draw his gun and raid him with bullets as he was calling for back up.
HAPPENING NOW: Dozens of officers are gathered outside hospital in Riverside, California, waiting to take body of CHP officer, who was killed in shootout today, to area mortuary. pic.twitter.com/S3TDTnOro6
— Preston Phillips (@PrestonTVNews) August 13, 2019
Deputies from the Riverside sheriff’s department and a Riverside police officer quickly arrived on the scene of the crime and continued the shootout.
Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said this: “It was a long and horrific gun battle. And it resulted in a very extensive crime scene.”
The body of @ChpRiverside is now being escorted to the coroners office in #Riverside . #NBCLA pic.twitter.com/QptDbJuPde
— Alexvnews (@alexvnews) August 13, 2019
Family members later identified the deceased officer as Andre Moye, Jr. who was 34 years old, married to wife Sara, and with no children.
He had been with the CHP for less than three years. He graduated in March 2017. CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley praised Moye and expressed his condolences to his family in a tweet that read: “I am devastated by the tragedy that unfolded earlier in Riverside. Tonight, I mourn the loss of one of our own, CHP Officer Andre Moye, who was killed during a shootout following a traffic stop. Prayers go out to all, including the responding officers injured in the shooting.”
The Santa Ana Police Department said this in a tweet: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends & our brothers/sisters of @chp_riverside sending our deepest condolences to the family of the fallen officer #fallenhero.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted: “Our hearts ache over the tragic loss of @CHP_HQ ‘s own Officer Andre Moye — who will be remembered for his commitment to service and the community of Riverside County. Jen and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fellow officers who are grieving tonight.”
Retired Marine Charles Childress, 56, has emerged as a hero in the incident after it was discovered that he ran to protect Jennifer Moctezuma, 31, and her 6-year-old twins who found themselves in the gun battle.
After a bullet flew through Moctezuma’s front windshield, Childress crawled to them and guided them to safety.
Childress said: “I was 21 years in the Marine Corps, and my training just kicked in.” Moctezuma stated: “He’s my hero. He’s my hero.”
We will never get another one like him,” – woman who identifies herself as stepmom of one of the CHP officers shot talks with us outside Riverside university medical center. @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/zU4u6hBwQK
— Hetty Chang (@HettyNBCLA) August 13, 2019
Debbie Howard, a Moye family member, said this was his dream job and told NBC News: “I’ve been knowing him since he was a baby. I don’t understand. I just don’t understand.”
Moye Jr. will be remembered by an entire community for his service.
