Accused CHP Killer Identified As Beaumont Man

BEAUMONT, CA — The man accused of gunning down a California Highway Patrol officer during a traffic stop in Riverside has been publicly identified. The Riverside County coroner's office says he was a Beaumont resident, 49-year-old Aaron Luther.

Luther is accused of killing CHP Officer Andre Moye, 34, after being pulled over in a GMC pickup truck for an unknown violation in Riverside at about 5:35 p.m. Monday. As Moye was preparing to have the truck towed, Luther pulled a weapon from the vehicle and opened fire on the officer, according to CHP Assistant Chief Scott Parker.

CHP and Riverside PD will be conducting a press conference to provide updates regarding yesterday’s OIS. 1:00pm at 8118 Lincoln Ave, Riverside. @CBSLA @NBCLA @KTLA @FOXLA @latimes @CNN @ABC7 @AP @pressenterprise pic.twitter.com/WiqyyayCmT
— CHP Inland Division (@CHPInland) August 13, 2019

Moye was able to make a distress call while under fire, and at least three other CHP officers responded to the scene, as well as Riverside Police Department officers and Riverside County sheriff's deputies.

Looking to help? The CAHP Credit Union has established a memorial fund to benefit the family of CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr.. Credit union officials say 100% of donations will go to Moye's family. Donations can be made online or mailed to: Officer Andre Moye Jr. Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 276507, Sacramento, CA 95827.

The first CHP officers to arrive engaged in a gun battle with the suspect.

SEE ALSO: Slain CHP Officer ID'd Following 'Horrific Gun Battle' On Street

Luther was fatally shot during the exchange of gunfire. The two CHP officers involved in the gunfight were injured -- one critically, the other superficially, Parker said.

Luther's father, Dennis, told ABC7 news that he was in shock over his son's actions.

"I'm devastated," he said. "I just can't believe it."

Dennis Luther said his son had served 10 years in prison for an attempter murder case, but was working on getting his life together, according to the ABC7 report. He had two children and a stepchild.

"He lived for his kids," Dennis Luther said through tears in an interview with the news station Monday night. "That's what motivated him. So I don't know what overcame him, and I wish I did know."

In response to the shooting, the CHP canceled the agency's 90th anniversary ceremony, which was scheduled for Wednesday in Sacramento. A bell toll tribute is planned instead, according to the agency.

Moye was assigned to the Riverside CHP office after graduating from the CHP Academy in March 2017. He is survived by his wife, father, mother, stepfather, brothers and sisters.

The names of the hospitalized officers were not released by authorities.

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— City News Service contributed to this report