Fugitive ex-cop stayed in San Diego hotel; military bases on alert

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

This post has been updated. See the note below for details.

Military bases in the San Diego area have been warned to be on the lookout for a fugitive former LAPD officer suspected of shooting three police officers early Thursday morning -- one of them fatally -- and killing an Irvine couple on Sunday.

Christoper Jordan Dorner, 33, is a former Navy reserve lieutenant with multiple weapons at his disposal, including an assault rifle, officials said. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous and alerts have been issued in California and Nevada.

Guards at military bases have been alerted that Dorner may have military identification and military-issue clothing. He has a military sticker on his vehicle windshield and was station in San Diego at times during his Navy career.

TIMELINE: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Dorner is believed to be connected to an attempted boat theft at the Southwestern Yacht Club in Point Loma, where he allegedly held an 81-year-old boat owner at gunpoint, tied him up and tried to steal the boat to flee to Mexico.

When that attempt was thwarted by mechanical difficulties, he apparently drove north to Corona.

Sometime after 1:30 a.m., Dorner is suspected of shooting an Los Angeles Police Department officer in Corona, then heading to Riverside where authorities say he ‘ambushed’ two Riverside officers. Both officers were shot, one fatally. Police said he was seen wearing military fatigues.

Dorner is also wanted in connection with the slaying Sunday in Irvine of the daughter of a retired LAPD captain and her fiance.

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Authorities confirmed Thursday morning that Dorner had stayed at a hotel on a local military base several days ago.

Dorner was able to check in at the motel at Naval Base Point Loma but it was not clear how he gained access to the secured area, police told reporters.

‘We have confirmation that he stayed here several days ago,’ Lt. Joseph Ramos said at a news conference.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Searching for suspected shooter

He said Dorner had not been seen in the area on Thursday despite reports that he was still at the motel.

[Updated at 11:55 a.m.: Navy officials confirmed that Dorner checked into the base on Feb. 5, using military identification. He did not check out.]

Law enforcement authorities said they were concerned about Dorner’s military background and weapons training.

Dorner received awards for his expertise with a rifle and pistol, according to military records obtained by The Times. He received an Iraq Campaign Medal and served in a mobile inshore undersea warfare unit.

ALSO:

LAPD chief to fugitive former cop: ‘No one else needs to die’

Search for ex-cop in shootings extended statewide, into Nevada

-- Tony Perry, Andrew Blankstein and Robert Lopez