A "gun fanatic" armed himself with an assault rifle and unleashed a cocaine-fueled rampage Tuesday in an Azusa, CA, neighborhood, killing one man and critically wounding two women before opening fire on officers and being fatally shot by police, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Although the motive for the shooting remained under investigation, authorities said the gunman had been on a cocaine binge when he launched his attack.
On Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said investigators were still working to identify the 45-year-old gunman and notify his family.
"He is kind of a gun fanatic," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. John Corina said. "He came out in the street and, according to people, he started shooting randomly at people."
Clad in black combat gear and armed with handguns, a rifle and shotgun, the man walked outside of his home and began shooting at cars, and then others on the street. He reportedly shot and killed a 77-year-old neighbor when he walked outside his home to find out what was happening, and shot two women, 59 and 65, who are in critical condition.
As police officers from Azusa and nearby Irwindale pulled into the neighborhood, they were met with a hail of gunfire from an assault rifle with "a rapid-fire capability," acting Azusa Police Chief Steve Hunt said.
A gun battle erupted as officers attempted to tend to the wounded victims. Authorities were forced to secure the neighborhood and shut down nearby polling places — sending voters scrambling to find alternate locations as police confronted the assailant
The shooter fired at least 20 rounds at police. Officers took cover and returned shots at the assailant, who retreated into a home. No officers were injured.
An hours-long standoff ended Tuesday evening after police fatally shot the gunman.