Manhunt for LAPD ex-cop Christopher Dorner ends in bullets, flames (+video)
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It is particularly chilling set against the backdrop of mounting police deaths, he added. Even as law enforcement officers outside the Loma Linda Medical Center mourned the loss of the San Bernardino sheriff’s deputy on Tuesday – with a full cortege of police cars proceeding behind the coroner’s wagon carrying the slain officer – social media such as Facebook and Twitter were bristling with support for Dorner's claims of police brutality and mistreatment, including encouragement for him to shoot more police officers. Chatter in local bars overheard by reporters also included support for Dorner’s murderous quest.
This sort of folk-hero status for an alleged murderer sets the teeth of many officials on edge, said Todd Spitzer, Orange County supervisor, in an interview with CNN. He says he overheard such conversations in local shops. “This man is nothing more than a murderer," he added, not someone worthy to stand beside the law enforcement personnel who risk their lives on a daily basis.
Still, neighborhood activists say the anti-police sentiment fired up by Dorner's claims and the week-long manhunt to find him are not going to just fade away.
“That’s why you are seeing it all over Facebook and Twitter,” says Mr. Ali. “We are going to see more violence and more disrespect for law enforcement until something is done to turn this around in a way that people will believe."
