LOS ANGELES (AP) — Citing the need for further investigation, authorities released from custody a 22-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer after an SUV plowed into Los Angeles County law enforcement recruits who were on a training run, injuring 25 of them.
Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez, of Diamond Bar, was released late Thursday. NBC4LA broadcast footage of him arriving home and reported that he did not answer any questions.
“Due to the extreme complexity of the investigation, which includes ongoing interviews, video surveillance review, and additional evidence needed to be analyzed, homicide investigators have released Mr. Gutierrez from the Sheriff’s Department custody today at approximately 9:55 PM,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
Authorities identified Gutierrez as the driver of an SUV that veered onto the wrong side of the road early Wednesday in the suburban Whittier area, where a sheriff’s academy facility is located.
Seventy-five recruits for the sheriff’s department and other law enforcement agencies were on a routine run in formation through the area. Five of the recruits were critically injured and two remained in critical condition Thursday afternoon, according to the department.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva told NewsNation earlier Thursday that investigators believe the crash was a “deliberate act” and that there was probable cause to make the arrest.
But he said Gutierrez was going to be “provisionally” released “until we can have the case iron clad, iron proof, and submitted to the DA for filing consideration. Right now, we want to tie up all the loose ends on the case and then present it to the DA.”
It will be up to the county district attorney to decide whether Gutierrez will be charged and for what offense. Gutierrez could not be reached for comment and it was unclear if he has a lawyer.
Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and criminal law professor at Loyola Law School who isn’t affiliated with the case, said attempted murder usually means there was intent to kill and the driver wasn’t simply distracted or didn’t lose control of the vehicle. She also said a key question is whether the sheriff’s department can perform an objective evaluation given that the agency’s recruits were victims of the crash.
Authorities said a field sobriety test performed on the driver was negative.
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So a murderer walks free! California you suck. Anyone else would be locked up until he is in court! Just like the capital building people sitting in jail without charges or bail. Democrats still screwing over the decent people and a murderer walks. How long will that take? Like Baldwin ?
You just KNEW this was going to happen, being in Kommifornia ! And when it’s presented to the Soros-backed DA, the whole travesty will be DROPPED !
At least the vermin in WI that MURDERED those people in the Christmas Parade was convicted, too bad WI does not have a death penalty anymore.
WITH how crook loving the DA’s are out there, ITS NOT A SHOCK to me, to see them releasing him WITHOUT BAIL…
What WAS a shock, is that they some how recruited so many folks to become cops…
Send the district attorney and the rest of LA’s legal team to the gallows. This should be done to protect them from any harm from all the criminals running loose.
released this cockroach into the community. a murderous insect with the impulses of a sewer rat.
Part of me fears, he will wind up NOT EVEN Being charged…. OR that they get dropped.