A traffic stop left 3 dead officers and 1 in critical condition after a manhunt lead to a shoot out in Oakland, California last Saturday.

The first police officer died at around 1 pm when after police officers stopped the suspect’s vehicle in east Oakland.  The suspect then fled the scene on foot prompting officers to barricade streets and rope off areas as California Highway Patrol officers and Alameda County sheriff deputies searched for the suspect.

At around 3:30 pm acting on an anonymous tip, the officers found the suspect who had barricaded himself in an apartment building.

27-year-old Lovelle Mixon fired at police officers who stormed the building to arrest him.  Two more officers were killed while a third police man got grazed by a bullet.  Oakland police returned fire killing Mixon.

The three police men who died were Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, who was killed at the first shooting. The two members of the SWAT team who were killed at the second location were Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35. Officer John Hege, 41, is in critical condition.

The city is still shocked after January’s shooting of an unarmed man by a rail transit police officer.  Tensions between residents and the police have been rising ever since.

Bay Area Rapid Transit officer, Johannes Mehserl had pleaded not guilty to manslaughter for the slaying of 22 year old Oscar Grant.  Rallies and violent protest had erupted in Oakland streets weeks after Grant’s death.

At the scene of the first police shooting people were again taunting the police.  Meanwhile at the police station, the mood was somber and flags were flying at half-mast.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued this statement: “All four officers dedicated their lives to public safety and selflessly worked to protect the people of Oakland.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost, the Oakland Police Department and law enforcement officers throughout California during this difficult time.”