Snow slows manhunt for alleged cop-killer

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Snowfall in California mountains Friday slowed the second day of a manhunt for a disgruntled ex-cop accused of three killings, and threatening to murder more police in a chilling online manifesto.

The focus of the search remained on the snow-blanketed ski resort of Big Bear, although there was also a major lockdown in Los Angeles after a reported sighting not far from the LA Police Department (LAPD) headquarters.

Also Friday police searched Dorner’s mother’s home in La Palma, southeast of Los Angeles, where the former cop was believed to have visited recently. There was no word on what was found there.

More than 100 officers have been searching in the mountains since Thursday for Christopher Dorner, 33, who threatened online to kill police and their families in revenge for his sacking five years ago.

The manhunt for Dorner – described as armed and “extremely dangerous” – continued through a second day in and around Big Bear, two hours east of Los Angeles, after his burnt-out car was found in nearby woods.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said the focus was on cabins in the mountain area above the resort. “We want to make sure he didn’t find a place to hide out for the night,” he told reporters.