Off-duty police officers’ camping trip erupts in gunfire; one injured, another in custody

A Los Angeles police officer has been booked on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly shooting another off-duty officer early Sunday morning while camping in Apple Valley in San Bernardino County, authorities said.

Officer Ismael Tamayo, a 13-year veteran of the LAPD, was booked by the county Sheriff’s Department in connection with the 1 a.m. shooting at the Stoddard Wells Off-Highway Vehicle Area, Los Angeles police said in a statement. The 44-year-old Ontario resident is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies responding to a shooting call found one of three off-duty LAPD officers at the scene suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body, authorities said. The injured officer was airlifted to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition and expected to survive.

Tamayo was found nearby and taken into custody, police said. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of a firearm, according to the LAPD statement.

Both officers work in the department’s Newton Division.

Investigators from the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division of Professional Standards Bureau, responded to the scene and initiated an administrative investigation.

“The department is fully cooperating with the San Bernardino County sheriff’s office in their criminal investigation,” officials said.

L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore issued a statement Sunday about the incident, expressing disappointment and frustration.

“The events overnight culminating in the serious injury to our off-duty officer, apparently at the hands of another member of this department, give me great concern,” Moore said. “I spoke earlier this morning with San Bernardino Sheriff John McMahon, pledging our full support of their criminal investigation. I am thankful our injured officer is in stable condition and expected to survive. I am committed to determining what and how this occurred.”

Tamayo has been relieved of his police powers pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigations.