COUNTYWIDE : Suspect in Ortega Shooting Identified

The Sheriff’s Department has issued a warrant for the arrest of a Hollywood man who allegedly shot at a California Highway Patrol sergeant last Saturday on Ortega Highway.

Sheriff’s Lt. Richard J. Olson said the suspect, Steven Douglas Flowers, is wanted on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer. Flowers has three aliases, Olson said, and has had “violent confrontations” with police officers.

At 12:05 a.m. Saturday, a CHP officer was chasing a car on Ortega Highway when the fleeing driver fired at least three shots, striking the CHP car, Olson said. The officer was not injured.

Sheriff’s deputies closed the highway for at least 13 hours while they searched for the assailant, blocking the way of thousands of drivers.

The car the officer had chased, a 1978 Chrysler LeBaron, was discovered a short distance from the scene of the shooting. The license plates on the car did not match the vehicle, Olson said, but the matching plates were found in the trunk.

Olson said evidence led investigators to Flowers. Officers obtained a search warrant and searched Flowers’ apartment in the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard.

Flowers also is known as Alexander S. Edmonds, Marcell Mercadel, and Steven Marcell Baddams, Olson said. Records list his age variously at 31 to 37. Olson said Flowers has a police record, but he would not elaborate.

Sheriff’s deputies believe that the weapon used was used a modified .30-caliber carbine, Olson said. Investigators consider Flowers armed and dangerous. Olson that anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Department.