Dorner Was in Imperial Beach Before Manhunt, Navy Officials Say

Updated 6:27 p.m. and 9:31 p.m. Feb. 13. and 5:02 p.m. Feb. 14.

Christopher Dorner, who allegedly killed four people and may have died in a fire in a Big Bear cabin Tuesday, was in Imperial Beach last Wednesday, Navy officials told IB Patch.

Around 3:30 p.m. Feb. 6, Dorner approached two sailors in a parking lot at Naval Outlying Landing Field, Imperial Beach and asked them multiple questions about the base commander, their command's name and employment with the command.

The two sailors are part of Coastal Riverine Group One, said Lt. Commander Donnell Evans.

The former LAPD officer also served in the Navy Reserve until Feb. 1. Dorner was assigned to a subordinate unit of Coastal Riverine Group One at Seal Beach, Mine Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit (MIUWU) 105 from 2004-2007, Evans said.

How Dorner gained access to NOLF IB is under investigation.

Dorner was driving a grey truck, wearing civilian clothing and never left his vehicle while speaking for sailors for approximately 10 minutes, a Navy official said.

It is not known where Dorner went immediately after leaving NOLF IB, a Navy official said, but hours later he allegedly attempted to steal a boat.

The sighting at NOLF IB was reported to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and local law enforcement Thursday when the sailors recognized his face after news reports.

Police found Dorner's identification near the San Diego International Airport at 2:20 a.m. Thursday. Later that day police converged on a hotel and Naval Base Point Loma in search of Dorner.

On Feb. 4, Dorner's clothes were found in a dumpster behind the National City Police Department, according to multiple news sources. That same day he checked in to Navy Gateway Inn & Suites in Point Loma, a Navy official said.

How long Dorner actually stayed at the hotel or if he checked in and left is under investigation, the official said.