(April 22, 2005, 4:45 a.m.) -- The man who murdered his four year-old son and tried to kill his wife on ELB's Woodruff Ave. on April 21 has been shot and killed by Westminster, CA police in a fierce gun battle. In a written release issued at 4:00 a.m. today (April 22), Westminster PD states that after LBPD disseminated suspect Brian Manuel's name and photograph, "Citizens residing in the Westminster area recognized Mr. Manuel as someone who was living with a family in Westminster. The Westminster Police Department was called and advised of the situation and responded to the locatyion where Mr. Manuel was reported to be staying.

LBPD released photo

"The officers arrived at the location at approximately 11:15 p.m. [April 21] and surrounded the home. Mr. Manuel exited the home and engaged the officers in a gun battle. Several shots were exchanged between the officers and Mr. Manuel. A Westminster Police Officer was shot and wounded during the battle and Mr. Manuel was shot and fatally wounded. The wounded officer was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries..."

As LBReport.com reported as breaking news yesterday, LBPD says Brian Manuel, 39, picked up his son, Joshua, age 4, from daycare, drove to Woodruff Ave. south of Spring St. He stopped his car, phoned his wife and told her his car had broken down and he needed help.

At about 4:15 p.m., his wife arrived and switched on her car's flashers (still flashing, in photo right, when we arrived on scene). He exited his car, placed his son Joshua in the backseat of his wife's car...then allegedly went back to his own car, pulled out a handgun...and began shooting at his wife.

Mrs. Manuel, wounded, managed to flag down a passing motorist; the good samaritan helped her escape while Mr. Manuel continued firing at them, hitting their car as they drove off.

Mr. Manuel then returned to his wife's car...

...which had four year old Joshua (right) in the back seat...and shot and killed his son.

LBPD released photo

Following the shooting, Woodruff Ave. was blocked off between Spring and Willow Sts. as officers worked the crime scene.

L.A. TV outlets converged on LBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. David Cannan...who was on scene along with PIO Israel Ramirez.

ELB residents expressed shock and disbelief on learning of the horrific events that played out on a major thoroughfare in their normally quiet neighborhood.