Parolee stood over stricken police officers and fired again

Lovelle Mixon, 27, a parolee on the run, already had shot Oakland police Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, and Officer John Hege, 41. Then, as the two men lay on the ground, Mixon stood over them and fired again.  Those were some of the horrifying details that emerged today about the shooting deaths of four veteran Oakland police officers Saturday.Dunakin, 40, of Tracy, a motorcycle officer, stopped a Buick driven by Mixon in the 7400 block of MacArthur Boulevard at about 1:08 p.m. Saturday, possibly for expired registration, police sources said. It is not known whether Hege, of Concord, also a motorcycle officer, was with Dunakin at the initial stop or pulled up later. Dring the stop, Dunakin requested Mixon's license and ran a check, sources said. Mixon's picture was on the license, but the number for the license belonged to another person. As Dunakin was walking back to the car, Mixon stepped out and began shooting with an semi-automatic handgun, hitting Dunakin and Hege, police sources said. The officers did not have a chance to draw their weapons or to radio for help. Witnesses said Mixon then stood over the stricken officers and shot them again before fleeing with the gun. A passer-by gave aid to the officers and made the first 911 call at 1:16 p.m. A massive manhunt began, and police cordoned off the block where the car stop and shooting occurred. Within a short time, officers got a tip that the shooter was inside an apartment building on 74th Avenue, a short distance away.  It was not clear whether they know the true identity of the suspect or that he was wanted on a no-bail warrant; however, sources said the tipster may have known Mixon. Within 45 minutes of the initial traffic stop, police from Oakland and other agencies had blocked off the street and surrounded the apartment building. A SWAT team, led by Dan Sakai, 35, of Castro Valley, and camouflaged sharpshooters got into position. Police attempted to make contact with Mixon but got no response. Believing the public may have been in danger, the team decided to enter the apartment, sources said. Sakai; Erv Romans, 43, of Danville; Officer Pat Gonzales; and three other Oakland officers forcibly entered the apartment and made their way down a dark hallway. At some point, at least one and possibly two flash-bang grenades were fired into the apartment. Mixon, who police believe was hiding in a closet in a back bedroom, began firing through the door and wall, without warning. Romans was the first officer hit, police sources said. The officers did not see Mixon but returned fire in the direction of the gunshots. One or two officers started dragging Romans out of the room, hearing bullets whizzing by their heads.  An Alameda County sheriff's deputy who had SWAT training saw them carry Romans outside and went into the apartment to help return fire, sources said. Mixon was killed, but not before Sakai received a mortal wound to the head, sources said. Gonzales was hit in the shoulder, and a bullet grazed his SWAT helmet. He drove himself to Highland Hospital, where he was treated and released.  Mixon's 16-year-old cousin, who was sleeping inside the apartment when the officers broke inside, was not hit. SOURCE:CONTRA COSTA TIMES