A gunman and a 54-year-old male hostage were killed in Pico Rivera during a gun battle with sheriff’s deputies, who had been pursuing the suspect, authorities said Saturday.

Cedric Ramirez, a parolee wanted on two felony warrants, had barricaded himself about 5:30 p.m. Friday inside a home in the 9000 block of Rosehedge Drive shared by the unidentified victim and a 60-year-old woman, authorities said. The woman, who was also unidentified, was later rescued unharmed.

Ramirez had exchanged gunfire with deputies before entering the house, the sheriff’s statement said.

The suspect “broke into the victims’ home through a window and, in an attempt by the deputies to get the residents out of the home, a second exchange of gunfire occurred and the male victim was hit,” according to the department’s statement. The victim, found slumped in the doorway, was pronounced dead at the scene.


It was unclear whose gunfire struck the victim, said sheriff’s Sgt. Quiana Birkbeck. It was also not known how many gunshots were exchanged, she said.

About 1:30 a.m., the sheriff’s SWAT team entered the house and deputies fatally shot the suspect, authorities said. Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene and his firearm was recovered.

No sheriff’s deputies were injured.

Lt. David Smith of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said officials were still trying to confirm the identity of the victim and to notify relatives.


Follow @MattStevensLAT for Westside coverage and breaking news