Christopher Dorner Shootout: Police Find Driver’s License Among Ruins [Report]

Police have reportedly found fugitive Christopher Dorner‘s driver’s license among the human remains in the burned cabin where he had barricaded himself.

Dorner, the ex-cop and Navy reservist who was the subject of a massive manhunt after killing three people, was surrounded by police in the cabin. A single gunshot was heard inside just before the structure burst into flames. Authorities plan to do forensic testing to verify the identity of the man who died in the shootout. A San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed by Dorner as police converged on the cabin.

According to AP,

“He never emerged from the ruins, and hours later a charred body was found in the basement of the burned cabin along with a wallet and personal items, including a California driver’s license with the name Christopher Dorner, an official briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.

“The coroner’s office is studying the remains to positively determine the identity.”

Authorities need 100% verification before they can declare an end to this crisis. If Christopher Dorner is indeed dead, it will likely bring relief to the more than 40 people police had been protecting as well as others who believed they might have been in danger. The manhunt had stretched the resources of the LAPD as well as other agencies, leaving the department struggling to respond to normal emergency calls.

According to the LA Times, police are not standing down as yet:

“[LAPD Chief Charlie] Beck said he would not consider the manhunt over until the body was identified as Dorner. Police remained on tactical alert and were conducting themselves as if nothing had changed in the case, officials said.”