An arrest was made Tuesday night in connection with the shooting death of a Riverside Police officer, according to a Riverside Police Department dispatcher.
Earl Ellis Green, 44, of Rubidoux, was arrested Tuesday night outside a Target store in Riverside. He was booked at Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of murder and a parole violation, Riverside police Sgt. Dan Russell said in a statement.
Green was held Wednesday morning without bail, a jailer in Riverside said. He has a court appearance scheduled Monday in Riverside Superior Court, the jailer told City News Service.
Officers with police and FBI insignia detained Green (pictured, right) and an unidentified woman about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday outside at the Target store in the 3300 block of Arlington Avenue.
Law enforcement sources identified the woman as the suspect's girlfriend. They said the officer's weapon was with the suspect at the time of the arrest.
Authorities said the suspect was traced through a fingerprint left at the scene of the shooting.
Green fits the description of the gunman who shot Bonaminio at about 9:50 p.m. on Sunday near the entrance of Fairmount Park, off Market Street and just north of downtown Riverside, according to police.
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"We like this guy, but there's still a lot of work to do,'' Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said, speaking to reporters in the Target parking lot shortly after the arrest that involved at least a dozen officers.
Three police cars pulled into the parking lot about 8:20 p.m., Angel Ruiz, who witnessed the arrest from the Yum Yum Donuts shop in the same strip mall as the Target, told the Press-Enterprise. Officers got out and started loading weapons. Some had on vests or jackets saying they were police, and some said FBI, said Ruiz, a 25-year-old Riverside resident.
Officer, War Vet Shot During Foot Pursuit in Park
The Riverside police officer and Iraq War veteran was shot and killed late Sunday. The officer was attempting to stop a hit-and-run driver, a sergeant said.
The officer was identified as Ryan Bonaminio, who served for four years with the Riverside Poice Department. He also served with the U.S. Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Late Monday night, NBCLA learned the vehicle used by suspect was now at the police station with crime technicians.
The Associated Press reported that police said the gunman was driving a big rig. Police Chief Sergio Diaz told the Riverside Press-Enterprise that the officer stopped the truck for a suspected hit-and-run crash shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday.
The officer pulled the driver over in front of Fairmount Park at Market Street and Fairmount Boulevard, at 9:45 p.m. Sunday, Sergeant Jaybee Brennan.
"There was a foot pursuit into the park,'' Brennan said.
Backup officers following the foot pursuit heard shots and found the officer down, she said. He was taken to a hospital, where police officials later confirmed he died.
Officers saluted their colleague as his body was transported.
Bonaminio is the first Riverside police officer to die in the line of duty in about 10 years, according to Assistant Chief Chris Vicino.
"Officer Ryan Bonamino's tragic death is a reminder to all of us in the law enforcement family that the supreme sacrifice of our service is also a cost borne by our loved ones, our families and our community," said Riverside police Chief Sergio Diaz.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released a statement extending his condolences to the fallen officer's loved ones.
"Every day our law enforcement officials to go work to protect their communities, never knowing the dangers that may arise," Schwarzenegger said. "Officer Bonaminio went above and beyond the call of duty his entire life, first serving in uniform to defend our nation's freedoms, and here at home to protect the people of Riverside. His courage and dedication in the line of duty will be remembered forever."
Bonaminio, a Riverside resident who graduated from Ramona High School in 2000, joined the U.S. Army and completed two tours as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Riverside police.
He served with the 314th Military Police and his assignments included serving in Kuwait City, Bagdad, Mosul and Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. He also served in the 282nd Base Support Battalion in Hohenfels, Germany.
Bonaminio earned the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Mobilization Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal and Expert Qualification Badge for the 9mm pistol.
The Riverside native began working for the police department in July 2006 while still in the Army Reserves.
Bonaminio's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday. The service at at The Grove Community Church, located at 19900 Grove Community Drive in Riverside, will begin at 10 a.m.
