The Latest: Man identified in slaying of California officer
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Latest on the shooting of two California police officers as they responded to a traffic accident (all times local):
2 p.m.
Authorities have identified a suspect they say fatally shot a California police officer and injured another as the officers responded to a traffic accident.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department identified the suspect Tuesday as Michael Christopher Mejia
Authorities say the 26-year-old is a known gang member who was recently released from jail.
They say Mejia killed his cousin, 47-year-old Roy Torres, and then stole his car before he rear-ended another car in Whittier on Monday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}When officers arrived to the crash scene, investigators said Mejia pulled out a gun and opened fire.
Officer Keith Boyer, a 27-year veteran of the department, was killed. Another officer, Officer Patrick Hazell, was wounded.
The officers shot back, and Mejia was wounded. He remained hospitalized Tuesday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.