Man Sought in Shooting of Deputy Turns Himself In
WHITTIER — A 23-year-old man accused of shooting a sheriff’s deputy in the head earlier this month during a traffic stop surrendered at the Whittier courthouse Friday in the company of his lawyer.
Omar Ramirez Jimenez proclaimed his innocence to a television reporter outside the courthouse.
“I just want to clear this up because I found out that they’re looking for me,†Jimenez said.
He pleaded not guilty later to two counts each of attempted murder and assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm. He was named in a $2.03-million arrest warrant Thursday.
Jimenez is accused of shooting sheriff’s Deputy Michael Schaap about 3:30 a.m. Sept. 5 at Mulberry Drive and Gunn Avenue in an unincorporated county area near Whittier.
Schaap, 35, was shot before he or his partner had a chance to get out of their patrol car. The deputy remains in the hospital.
“He’s improving,†said sheriff’s Sgt. Norine Plett. “He’s going to be in rehabilitation four to six weeks.â€
Police say Jimenez’s van, which was found shortly after the crime, was used in the shooting.
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