Slain Riverside officer slipped, suspect grabbed gun and shot him, police say

The suspect who allegedly killed Riverside Police Officer Ryan P. Bonaminio wrestled the officer's gun away after he slipped and fell, then used the gun to shoot him, authorities said Monday.

At a press conference Monday, officials released more details about the Nov. 7 shooting. They said Earl Ellis Green, 44, of Rubidoux, attacked Bonominio after the officer fell, wrestled the gun away and shot him.

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said Green made that choice instead of running away and continuing his escape.

Officer Bonaminio pleaded for his life before he was murdered, said Pacheco. "This defendant ignored those pleas and shot him," he said.

Joseph Bonaminio, Ryan's father, said that Ellis "assassinated my son, he doesn't deserve to breathing the same air as you and me."

Bonaminio had pulled over the stolen big-rig driven by Green that was believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run collision near the 60 Freeway, according to police. Green sped south on Market Street before pulling over in front of Riverside's Fairmount Park and running down a grassy field.

Green was charged last Tuesday with one count of murder with two special circumstances -- the murder of a law enforcement officer, and murder to avoid imminent arrest, said Riverside Dist. Atty. Rod Pacheco at a news conference Monday.

Pacheco said that his office will thoroughly review the case and Green's criminal background before deciding whether to pursue the death penalty. A decision should be made within two weeks, he said.

Green is also charged with one count of vehicle theft with a previous conviction and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was scheduled to be arraigned Monday afternoon in Riverside Superior Court.

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-- Phil Willon in Riverside

Comments

[SanityNow]

I am almost speechless on this. Make me sick. Just to think we may be getting an Attorney General that believes in "rehabilitation" for these thugs and no death penalty. What is with this state???!!! I have lived here since 1974 and it has been going down hill ever since. Maybe more Liberals runing the place will work. They are just digging us a deeper hole. Just afraid it is too deep to dig out of now.

[2cents]

please, just drag this creature out and shoot him - otherwise, next thing you know he'll be getting marriage proposals and conjugal visits

[TheBigPicture]

His current attorney will get double his fee for defending a guy when the DA is going for the death penalty...

If he's sentenced to death, he may be executed around 2030 when he's 64 years old...and until then, we pay for his food and upkeep, his attorneys, his mandatory appeal process (attorneys and judges salaries)...

I wonder who devised such a process...Probably attorneys and judges...

[u know]

If Kamala Harris is elected Attorney General this scumbag won't get what he rightfully deserves.

[h8ter]

Cops

[fredyt3]

Some of the comments posted are interesting, as the writers appear to be using this officer's unfortunate death to spew comments on other issues.
Anyway, RIP officer Bonominio. I'm sure this type of death is never easy. The alleged killer will be dealt with by the law WE ALL must be governed by. On the other hand, hopefully all law agencies will alert staff and re-train, as while a criminal element is part of our society, these tough economic times make them more dangerous. I would hope there is always sufficient back-up, or the officer does some type of risk-reward analysis, as while the person being chased was on parole, some incidents are simply not worth the risk of jeopardizing one's life there is the possibility of minimal coverage. Of course, out of respect I am not second guessing any officer but these are unique times and I am sure if Officer Bonominio had another choice - he may have opted for backup or another solution.

[ISurvived]

I was faced with a similar situation when I was a rookie Patrol Officer in 2000. I pulled over a stolen vehicle (didn't know it was stolen, just pulled him over for a traffic violation) and the suspect ran as I was approaching the driver's side. There was low-lying fog in the area, and we were stopped on an over pass above a park. The Suspect ran down the embankment, into the fog, and I lost sight of him. My Department's P&P's clearly stated that if you ever lost sight of a Suspect during a foot pursuit, you should stop immediately, call for back-up, K9's, etc. and set up a perimeter to contain the Suspect. Obviously, losing sight of the suspect gives him/her an opportunity to ambush you....which is precisely what happened in this case. Upon searching the Suspect's vehicle, I found a fully loaded 12ga Mossberg shotgun in the front seat! I can only assume the suspect was armed with a handgun, but given the fact that he ran vs. shooting it out with me, leads me to believe he left his weapon behind. I was lucky that he didn't come out shooting once he pulled over! He escaped our perimeter, but was later identified and arrested after processing the vehicle and finding his finger prints. Almost every time, it pays to be cautious. What happened to Ofcr. Bonaminio was truely tragic in every sense of the word!! RIP

[Lee Rivas]

I thought killing a cop was automatic death penalty?

[surfhoney]

How needlessly tragic!! Where was his back-up?? Why did he choose to go after this demon???

RIP Officer Bonominio. My condolensces to his loved ones.

My utmost respect to all good law enforcement officers out there. Please be safe out there. These animals have no conscience!!