Firefighters pay their respects to Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, on Monday, June 25, 2018 during a procession taking his body from St. MaryÕs Hospital in Long Beach to the coronerÕs office. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A portrait of Long Beach Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, during a press conference after he was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

CHP escortes the fallen firefighter, Capt. Dave Rosa, to the L. A. County Coroners office in Los Angeles on Monday, June 25, 2018, on the 710 freeway as firefighters salute on the overpass. (ABC-7)

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The Los Angeles City Fire Department honor guard brings a wreath to St. Mary Medical Center after Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Firefighters pay their respects to Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, on Monday, June 25, 2018 during a procession taking his body from St. MaryÕs Hospital in Long Beach to the coronerÕs office. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Corinna Rowe of Long Beach said she was showing her support for all firefighters during a procession for Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, on Monday, June 25, 2018 to take his body from St. MaryÕs Hospital in Long Beach to the coronerÕs office. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The body of Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa leaves St. Mary Medical Center inside a coroner’s van after he was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Adrian Duran of Boyle Heights came out to honor fallen Long Beach Fire Capt. Dave Rosa at the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters console each other outside St. Mary Medical Center after Fire Captain David Rosa was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Residents of the elderly living facility where the shooting of the Long Beach Fire Fighter took place are escorted away from the building for their safety on Monday June 25, 2018. (Photo by Tracey Roman)



Long Beach Assistant Fire Chief Xavier Espino outside St. Mary Medical Center after Fire Captain David Rosa was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters console each other outside St. Mary Medical Center after Fire Captain David Rosa was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, was killed after being struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at Covenant Manor in Downtown Long Beach. (Photo courtesy of Long Beach Fire Department)

LONG BEACH, CA – JUNE 25: Jenn Ochoa of Los Alamitos shows her support during a procession for Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, to take his body from St. Mary’s Medical Centerin Long Beach to the coroner’s office on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/Orange County Register/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters salute as a van carrying the family of Fire Captain David Rosa leaves St. Mary Medical Center after his body left in a coroner’s van after he was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)



A Long Beach Firefighter wears a black band over their badge in remembrance of Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, who was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Long Beach Firefighters CHP and Police escort the body of fallen Fire Captain David Rosa down the 710 Freeway Monday afternoon on Monday June 25, 2018. (Photo by Tracey Roman)

Officials investigate at Covenant Manor in the 600 block of E. 4th St. in Long Beach where Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, was killed on Monday, June 25, 2018 while responding to a fire call. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at the downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Officials investigate at Covenant Manor in the 600 block of E. 4th St. in Long Beach where Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, was killed on Monday, June 25, 2018 while responding to a fire call. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at the downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Windows blown out in explosion at Long Beach retirement home where a Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Dave Rosa, 45,was shot to death today. (Photo by Kelly Puente, Orange County Register/SCNG)



The scene from 3rd and Atlantic where firefighters responding to a report of an explosion in a high-rise apartment in downtown Long Beach shortly before 4 a.m. were met with gunfire, with two getting struck on June 25, 2018. (Photo by Megan Barnes)

Long Beach firefighters line 11th. Street as they wait for the body of Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa to leave St. Mary Medical Center after he was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, who was killed in the line of duty on Monday, June 25, 2018, was active in the Capo Valley Little League as the Vice President and umpire for the league in this 2007 file photo. (Photo by David Bro, Contributing Photographer)

This .357 revolver was recovered at the scene where Long Beach Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Long Beach Mayor Rober Garcia, left, and Fire Chief Mike Duree outside St. Mary Medical Center after Fire Captain David Rosa was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Long Beach firefighters line 11th. Street as they wait for the body of Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa to leave St. Mary Medical Center after he was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

LAFD puts a flag in place for the arrival of Long Beach Capt. Dave Rosa at the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

The body of Long Beach Fire Capt. Dave Rosa arrives as the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters embrace as they await the arrival of the body of Capt. Dave Rosa at the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters embrace as they await the arrival of the body of Capt. Dave Rosa at the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)



Displaced Covenant Manor residents were shuttled to Silverado Park for medical evaluations and meals. The city and the American Red Cross set up cots in the gym. (Photo by Megan Barnes, Long Beach Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters salute as the body of Capt. Dave Rosa arrives as the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters salute as the body of Capt. Dave Rosa arrives as the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters salute as the body of Capt. Dave Rosa arrives as the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

Long Beach firefighters embrace as they await the arrival of the body of Capt. Dave Rosa at the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)



Long Beach firefighters salute as the body of Capt. Dave Rosa arrives as the Los Angeles County Coroners office Monday afternoon. Rosa and other firefighters were shot at while responding to a fire call early Monday morning. Rosa died from his injuries and another firefighter was treated and released. No suspect has been named in the shooting. (Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

Long Beach Fire Chief Mike Duree and Mayor Robert Garcia chat after a press conference for Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, who was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A portrait of Long Beach Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, as Long Beach Fire Chief Mike Duree talks about him during a press conference after he was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Long Beach Fire Chief Mike Duree during a press conference after Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Flowers and cards are left at Fire Station 10 in Long Beach where Capt. Dave Rosa, 45, worked. Rosa was killed on Monday, June 25, 2018 while responding to a fire call at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Long Beach Chief of Police Robert Luna during a press conference after Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Long Beach Fire Chief Mike Duree during a press conference after Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, was shot and killed responding to a fire in Long Beach, CA, on Monday, June 25, 2018. Rosa and another firefighter were struck by gunfire while responding to reports of an explosion at a downtown Long Beach high-rise. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A decorated, widely respected Long Beach fire captain responding to an explosion at high-rise retirement home was gunned down early Monday morning in a puzzling attack that authorities said was orchestrated by a 77-year-old resident of the facility, who possibly planned the ambush but whose motive remained a mystery.

A second firefighter was grazed by gunfire and was expected to make a full recovery, and an elderly resident who was shot was in critical condition.

As firefighters and other law enforcement personnel across Long Beach, and the state, mourned the loss of veteran fire Capt. Dave Rosa, Long Beach police announced they had apprehended Thomas Kim, a second-floor resident of the building, in connection with both the explosion and the shootings. He was arrested on suspicion of murder, two counts of attempted murder and arson. He was held on $2 million bail.

Kim has a previous arrest years ago for auto theft, police said. But they were trying to figure out a motive for Monday’s attacks.

“We’re frustrated that there’s a large puzzle we’re trying to put together, and a lot of information we don’t know yet,” Police Chief Robert Luna said.

Police were investigating whether Kim set the fires prior to the attack on the two firemen, and said suspicious devices were found in his apartment.

Long Beach Fire Chief Mike DuRee identified the fallen firefighter as Rosa, a 45-year-old captain for the past 6½ years.

Rosa worked the busiest fire stations in the city, most recently Fire Station No. 10, DuRee said, and he trained new firefighters.

He leaves behind a wife and two sons ages 16 and 25.

“He was a staunch family man, a good husband, a good father, a joy to be around, just a wonderful wonderful person, as are most firefighters,” DuRee said. “It’s left quite a big void.”

Rosa’s death triggered an emotional outpouring of support from firefighters and police departments across the state, as well as from elected leaders, including. Gov. Jerry Brown.

“It was with great sadness that Anne and I learned Fire Captain David Rosa passed away today while protecting the residents of a retirement home,” the governor said in statement. “Our deepest condolences go out to Captain Rosa’s family, friends and the entire Long Beach Fire Department as they mourn his tragic death.”

The wounded firefighter was Ernesto Torres, 35, who has 12 years with the department. He suffered a graze wound and was discharged from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

An elderly resident of the building was in a hospital listed in critical but stable condition.

The 11-story, 100-unit Covenant Manor houses low-income senior citizens in the 600 block of East Fourth Street near Atlantic Avenue.

When asked whether the attack was a planned ambush, Police Chief Luna said, “That is definitely on the table. … We’re going to be looking at that. That’s the environment we work in today as law enforcement and firefighters.

“You go to these scenes and you never know what’s on the other side of those doors,” he said. “These brave firefighters went through those doors and, unfortunately, they were met with gunfire.

“We’re brothers and sisters, so this is hitting us extremely hard,” the chief said.

Police recovered a revolver at the scene, and a sheriff’s department bomb squad examined two devices that were deemed to be “suspicious,” Luna said. They were rendered safe, he said, and flammable liquids believed to be gasoline were removed from the scene.

“We have a lot of questions about the devices that were found and the suspect’s intent, which we do not have a full picture of yet,” Luna said.

He said preliminary evidence and witness interviews point to an intentional set-up.

DuRee said that while he has heard of firefighters being targeted in other parts of the country, “this is the first time we’ve ever experienced anything like this.”

The last time a Long Beach firefighter was killed in the line of duty was in 1974.

Kim was arrested about 6 a.m., according to jail records.

“Patrol officers immediately started to search for the shooter as we normally do in these situations, we try and isolate him and save anybody else from being shot,” Luna said.

Thomas Kim’s only major vice is gambling and that cost him his marriage several years ago, according to his brother.

“His wife left him because he gambled,” George Kim, who hasn’t spoken to his brother in nearly 30 years, said. “That is the only thing that is a bad habit.” Thomas Kim and his ex-wife, who is a nurse, have one daughter.

Thomas Kim’s immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960’s, graduated from college and briefly worked as a civil engineer in the LA area.

He then worked in the construction industry in Korea and in Saudi Arabia before returning to the U.S. Thomas Kim, who is diabetic, would also buy clothing items at LA flea markets and then resell them in Mexico, George Kim said. He plans to visit his brother in jail.

“I don’t know what it will be like to see him. I haven’t seen him in almost 30 years,” he said. “I thought he was dead. I’m going to find out what happened to him.

About 3:49 a.m., firefighters received the initial report, said Jake Heflin, a spokesman for the Long Beach Fire Department, with residents reporting a strong smell of gasoline.

“They did notice some windows were blown out and sprinklers were on,” he said.

Within 10 minutes, firefighters had knocked down the fire, apparently on the second floor. Another 10 minutes later, shots were fired, with the victims hit by the gunfire, Heflin said.

Today is an incredibly sad day for Long Beach and the Long Beach Fire Department. We’ve lost one of our local heroes and another is injured but stable. We are all praying and sending love to the families and our @lbfd team. — Robert Garcia (@RobertGarciaLB) June 25, 2018

By late morning, 80 Covenant Manor residents had been bused to a nearby Covenant Presbyterian Church, where they were interviewed by police. Many were still in their pajamas.

Afterward, one woman, visiting her son, said she heard a loud boom on the second floor.

“I was so nervous,” said the woman, who would only give her name as Ms. Harris. “I slipped on my sweatpants and ran downstairs.”

She said she didn’t even know about the shooting, but added, “It looked like it blew a window clean out of the building.”

The residents were then bused to Silverado Park’s gym, where city employees and the American Red Cross set up green cots. They were expected to return home Monday evening.

The displaced residents were offered meals and evaluated for their medical needs. Many have chronic conditions, such as diabetes, or use walkers and wheelchairs to get around.

James Park, a spokesman for HumanGood, which operates Covenant Manor, said the nonprofit is “focusing on helping those residents who were displaced from their homes and assisting the authorities in their ongoing investigation.”

Ronald Keller, sitting barefoot in his wheelchair, said police rescued him from his apartment on the 9th floor, where he lives alone.

“I heard a bang, then I heard glass breaking or scattering across the floor,” he said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”

Keller started going down the hallway, when police told him to stay in his apartment and wait for them take him to safety. From his window while he waited about 15 minutes, he watched a flurry of police activity.

“I’m used to hearing gunshots in this area,” Keller said.

Then police came for him, he said: “They came and pushed me to the elevators.”

Adrian, who declined to provide his last name, said he, his dachshund mix and others escaped the building by going down the stairs. The elevator doors had automatically locked after the fire alarm sounded.

“I was woken by a big boom and initially thought there was an earthquake,” he said.

Friends who live on the second floor told Adrian they heard two gunshots after the blast. He was saddened to learn the gunfire claimed the life of a fireman: “I’m so sorry. There are crazy people all over the place, and good people lose their lives.”

Neal Day, a military veteran who lives next door to the building, said he slept through the explosion, but his neighbors were rattled and initially thought it was a bad car crash.

“It was pretty chaotic and confusing since they were trying to evacuate all of the seniors inside,” he said.

Late Monday morning, police and fire officials collected at St. Mary’s Medical Center, exchanging handshakes, hugs and tears. A large crowd gathered.

An honor guard with the Los Angeles Fire Department brought a wreath of white, yellow and red flowers, with two yellow stripes across it in honor of Capt. Rosa.

Then, at about 12:30 p.m., a 16-vehicle procession that included a coroner’s van began a procession to take the body to the coroner’s office in Los Angeles, heading westbound on 11th Street, to Long Beach Boulevard and then onto the 710 Freeway.

In front were three motorcycle officers. They were followed by Engine No. 10, from Rosa’s station.

Along the 710, firefighters and perhaps other officials positioned their emergency trucks on the overpasses, standing outside and saluting Rosa as the procession moved along just below them.

A few civilians stood with them on the sidewalk in solidarity. An 8 p.m. vigil was planned at Fire Station No. 10.

“My dad was a fireman, so I just wanted to pay my respects,” said Tim McCord, a local oil field operator.

At Fire Station 10 in Central Long Beach, where Rosa was based, residents left notes, candles and flowers.

“First responders have a dangerous job, but this one really brought it close to home,” said Jay Maupin, who lives across the street from the station.

Abraham Garcia, 21, stopped by with a bouquet of two dozen red roses. Garcia, an aspiring firefighter, said he was one of Rosa’s students in the Long Beach Explorers youth program.

“He was always so passionate about what he did,” Garcia said.

One anonymous Long Beach resident left a poem with a note at the bottom: “Thank you for all the lives you’ve saved. I’m so sorry you lost yours.”

Staff writer Scott Schwebke contributed to this story.