Parolee Accused In Execution-Style Murder Of Sheriff's Sergeant Charged With Capital Murder
LANCASTER (CBSLA.com) — A 27-year-old man accused in the execution-style murder of a veteran Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant was charged Friday with capital murder and other counts.
Trenton Trevon Lovell was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in a Lancaster courtroom in connection with Wednesday's killing of Sgt. Steve Owen, but that hearing was postponed.
Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against the 27-year-old Lancaster man.
Sgt. Steven Owen was in a Lancaster neighborhood Wednesday afternoon when he confronted a burglary suspect, who was later identified as Lovell.
According to Sheriff Jim McDonnell, Lovell allegedly shot Owen once during their initial encounter. He then stood over Owen's body and shot him four more times.
Following the shooting, Lovell searched Owen's body for his gun and then attempted to steal his patrol cruiser, which led to a shootout with another deputy on scene, according to investigators.
Lovell was struck by gunfire, but managed to flee to a nearby home, where he encountered two teenagers and held them hostage for more than an hour.
When Lovell heard a SWAT team approaching the residence, he bolted outside and was subsequently arrested.
Paramedics transported Owen to a hospital, where he later died.
Detectives believe Lovell intended to kill the other sheriff's deputy, along with the two teenagers he took hostage inside of the home.
Lovell -- who has a long criminal record that includes robbery, resisting arrest and a DUI charge -- is being held without bail.
