Dorner manhunt: 1 sheriff's deputy dead, 1 in surgery, officials say

One San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy is dead and the other is in surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, officials said Tuesday at a news conference.

The two deputies were involved in a gun battle, allegedly with fugitive ex-LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner, earlier Tuesday as the murder suspect sought to flee authorities. The deputy in surgery was expected to survive, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.

The afternoon gun battle in which hundreds of rounds were exchanged was part of a quickly changing situation that began after Dorner allegedly broke into a home, tied up a couple and held them hostage.  He then stole a silver pickup truck, sources said.

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Then Dorner was allegedly spotted by a state Fish and Wildlife officer in the pickup truck, sources said. A vehicle-to-vehicle shootout ensued. The officer's vehicle was peppered with multiple rounds, according to authorities.

Dorner crashed his vehicle and took refuge in a nearby cabin, sources said. One deputy was hit as Dorner fired out of the cabin and a second deputy was injured when Dorner exited the back of the cabin, deployed a smoke bomb and opened fire again in an apparent attempt to flee. Dorner was driven back inside the cabin, the sources said.

FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

He was inside the cabin Tuesday afternoon as officers swarmed the site.

ALSO:

Christopher Dorner shootout: Cabin owner in 'state of shock'

Christopher Dorner held couple hostage in cabin, source says

Christopher Dorner, wildlife officer got into car-to-car gun battle

 -- Ruben Vives at Loma Linda University Medical Center with Phil Willon, Joel Rubin, Andrew Blankstein, Robert J. Lopez and Kate Mather