Update: Officials find 'human remains' in burnt-out Big Bear cabin (photos, map)

UPDATE 11:40 p.m.: San Bernardino Sheriff's officials say they have located "charred human remains" amid the debris of the burned down cabin that was the scene of a fierce firefight earlier in the day. Officials have not yet identified the remains.

"Identification will be attempted through forensic means," the Department said in a press release.

UPDATE 8:47 p.m. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Cindy Bachman Tuesday night echoed LAPD denials that Christopher Dorner's body had been found in the burned-out cabin in the Big Bear area.

“It  is too hot. It is still smoldering, and it is not safe for them to enter," Bachman told reporters Tuesday night. "I can’t tell you at this time when they might be able to enter the cabin. It’s a huge crime scene. Anticipate them being there most of the night.”

She said that no body had been removed or identified.

Meanwhile, Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz — who told the Press-Enterprise that Dorner's body was removed from the cabin — backtracked on his earlier statement, the Press-Enterprise reported.

UPDATE 8:10 p.m. The Los Angeles Police Department Tuesday night disputed reports that the charred body of murder suspect and fugitive ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner had been removed from the burned-out cabin where he was believed to have hidden on Tuesday afternoon.

Cmdr. Andrew Smith told reporters in downtown L.A. shortly after 8 p.m. that the "burned cabin has not even been entered by investigators" because it was too hot to be searched, that no body had been removed from the cabin's ruins and that no identification had yet been made.

"That cabin is still too hot for anybody to make entry," Smith said. "There has been no body located inside that cabin. That cabin has not yet been searched."

Smith added: "Any reports of a body being found are not true. No body has yet been found in there."

Smith added that it might take days or weeks for DNA analysis, dental records identification or other methods would be able to confirm the identity of any remains located in the cabin.

Smith added that the department remained on tactical alert and that it was maintaining security details around officers and families threatened with harm in Dorner's online manifesto.

The LAPD was expected to hold another press briefing at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

UPDATE 7:32 p.m. Christopher Dorner's body was found inside a burnt-down cabin, according to Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz, the Press-Enterprise reports. Dorner is alleged to have engaged in a gunfight that resulted in the death of a sheriff's deputy and injured another earlier Tuesday.

Meanwhile, KPCC reporter Wendy Lee sent this update from Loma Linda University Medical Center:

The body of the San Bernardino sheriff’s deputy who died at Loma Linda University Medical Center was transported to the coroner’s office surrounded by a line of law enforcement vehicles about an hour ago.

Traffic was blocked temporarily from entering the center’s emergency area.

The second sheriff’s deputy is still in surgery, said Jodi Miller, public information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff department. The two deputies were allegedly shot by homicide suspect Christopher Dorner, although Miller could not confirm that at an earlier press conference.

Miller declined to reveal the deputies’ names or details about the deputy’s injuries.

“There will be no more information released about the deputies tonight,” Miller said to a crowd of reporters waiting outside the medical center. “Be respect[ful] to their families. Please.”

The mood at Loma Linda University Medical Center was somber. People who work for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department hugged each other.

Public information officer Jodi Miller said the department expects that the deputy will survive the surgery.

On Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement members were stationed inside and outside of the center’s emergency area. Media were not allowed inside the center.

“Law enforcement is a very close knit family,” Miller said. “All law enforcement agencies (are) a brotherhood. This is a very difficult day.”

UPDATE 7:03 p.m. The cabin where authorities believe former LAPD officer and suspected cop killer Christopher Dorner was inside burned down Tuesday afternoon. Two deputies were allegedly shot by Dorner earlier in the afternoon, and one died.

KPCC visual journalist Grant Slater captured this photo showing the proximity of the cabin where Dorner was reportedly hiding in earlier this week and the command center used by authorities. The building on the right was central command for the search; the building on the left is where Dorner reportedly stayed.

UPDATE 6:43 p.m. A cabin that authorities believe former LAPD officer and suspected murderer Christopher Dorner was inside burned down Tuesday afternoon. Two deputies were allegedly shot by Dorner earlier in the afternoon, and one died.

Los Angeles TV stations KTLA 5, KCAL 9 and KCOP 13 opted to stick with coverage of the Christopher Dorner manhunt rather than broadcast the State of the Union Tuesday evening.

Another press conference on Dorner is scheduled for 9 p.m.; stick with KPCC for the latest.

UPDATE 5:29 p.m. A cabin that authorities believe former LAPD officer and suspected murderer Christopher Dorner was inside was on fire Tuesday afternoon. Two deputies were allegedly shot by Dorner earlier in the afternoon, and one died.

Authorities asked the media to stop tweeting about the continuing manhunt, but various media rebelled; read more about it here.

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa expressed his condolences for the deputy that was killed, first on Twitter and later in a press conference.

Referring to the police threatened by Dorner, "None of us can imagine what they've had to go through, what their children have had to go through, because of the threats of Christopher Dorner," Villaraigosa said.

UPDATE 5:04 p.m. A cabin that authorities believe former LAPD officer and suspected murderer Christopher Dorner was inside was on fire Tuesday afternoon. Two deputies were allegedly shot by Dorner earlier in the afternoon, and one died.

San Bernardino Sheriff's spokesman Cindy Bachman said that, if it is Christopher Dorner inside the cabin, he is now responsible for four murders and the attempted murder of three others.

"We need to let [authorities] do their job and bring this incident to a safe ending," Bachman said at a press conference late Tuesday afternoon.

Bachman said that authorities believe someone is inside the house, and that they have reason to believe that it's Dorner. She added that the cabin is believed to be a rental.

The local fire department is not being allowed to put the fire out yet, according to Bachman.

"They're not going to allow anyone to go near the fire at this point," Bachman said. She added that she believes there hasn't been further gunfire since the fire began. The cabin has propane and fire wood inside, NBC Los Angeles reports, which may be fueling the fire.

Bachman said that she wasn't aware of any communication with the subject inside or of any hostage situation. She said she didn't know what kind of weapons Dorner had available to him.

Bachman said there were no injuries to the people at the cabin Dorner stole a vehicle from.

"We are planning on a long night," Bachman said.

— Mike Roe

UPDATE 4:23 p.m. San Bernardino Sheriff John McMahon confirmed Tuesday afternoon that one of his deputies died from gunshot wounds he received while in pursuit of suspected murderer and ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner in the Big Bear area.

"Unfortunately, one of our deputies passed away as a result of his injuries," McMahon said at a press conference outside Loma Linda University Hospital.

A second deputy who was also shot was in surgery and expected to recover, McMahon said. McMahon and his department declined to offer any more information about the deputies, who were reportedly involved in an exchange of gunfire with Dorner.

Meanwhile, authorities had surrounded a cabin where Dorner was believed to be holed up. About 4:30 p.m., heavy black smoke could be seen above the cabin, and the cabin was thought to be on fire, according to KCAL 9. Reports indicate that ammunition in the cabin may also be contributing to the fire.

Two of the highways in the area that were closed earlier have also reopened, according to the local fire department.

UPDATE 3:52 p.m. One of the deputies allegedly shot by ex-LAPD cop Christopher Dorner died, Big Bear mayor Jay Obernolte said, according to the Press-Enterprise.

UPDATE 3:15 p.m. Two San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies were shot in two separate gun battles as authorities closed in on fugitive ex-cop and murder suspect Christopher Dorner, who appeared to be surrounded in a cabin in the Big Bear area. Both officers were taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, reports indicate.

"There's a tremendous amount of apprehension among our officers right now," the LAPD's Andrew Smith said at a 3 p.m. news conference in downtown Los Angeles.

When asked if he had a message for Dorner if he was watching, Smith said, "Enough is enough. It's time for you to turn yourself in. It's time for you to stop the bloodshed."

"We believe this individual may be watching video, have access to TV," Smith said. They've asked the media not to show current police action. "It puts our officers at an extreme tactical disadvantage" if the suspect knows their movements, Smith said.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is the lead agency on the case, Smith said, but the LAPD is ready to help if needed. The LAPD has resources ready for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department to use, but said those have not yet been necessary.

You can read about how the chase unfolded in real time on Twitter on KPCC's The Latest.

You can also read about how the story has involved in our timeline of the LAPD manhunt for Christopher Dorner.

UPDATED 2:39 p.m. Two San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies were shot in two separate gun battles as authorities closed in on fugitive ex-cop and murder suspect Christopher Dorner in the Big Bear area. One officer was taken to nearby Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the other to Loma Linda University Medical Center, reports indicate.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to KPCC that a SWAT team was en route to the scene where Dorner was believed cornered in a cabin and surrounded. (Story continues beneath map)

Map of the area where a man believed to be Christopher Dorner was spotted. Dorner reportedly fled from a condo on Club View Drive, was chased by authorities south, where he crashed his vehicle at Highway 38 and Glass Road, then fled on foot northward to a cabin in the Angelus Oaks area, which burned down.

View Christopher Dorner Manhunt and Gun Battles in the Big Bear area. in a larger map

"Our SWAT team is on the scene," Cindy Bachman from the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department told KPCC's Larry Mantle. Officers engaged in gunfire with a suspect. "It was during that exchange of gunfire that two law enforcement agents were injured," Bachman said

LAPD confirmed that the man inside the cabin was Dorner, the L.A. Daily News reports.

Dorner and authorities have both been throwing smoke bombs, the L.A. Times reports, but authorities believe Dorner is still pinned down in the building.

It's believed Dorner committed a residential burglary of a cabin and had a couple tied up in the cabin, a law enforcement official said on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation. One was able to get away and make a call.

Authorities responded to the location and gave chase Tuesday when Dorner fled in a stolen car. Gunfire was exchanged.

KCAL reporter Carter Evans was in the middle of a firefight between the man believed to be Dorner and authorities. You can listen to the audio below. (Warning: Contains adult language.)

The area is in the Big Bear region where a search for Dorner has been under way since his pickup truck was found there Thursday. All roads into and out of the area were closed as of 2 p.m. Tuesday.

San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller said a stolen vehicle report from a residence was received at 12:20 p.m.

"The reporting party identified the suspect as looking like Christopher Dorner but that has not been confirmed," Miller said.

"People should expect closures on all mountain highways," San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Bachman told NBC L.A.

Local Big Bear schools were locked down: Baldwin Lane Elementary, Fallsvale Elementary, Chautaqua High School and Big Bear High School. The lockdowns have been lifted at three of those schools as of 2:10 p.m.; Fallsvale Elementary remained locked down.

"Theres no feeling of panic up here in the community. We're very resilient up here in Big Bear," said Big Bear Mayor Jay Obernolte, adding that they are used to dealing with breaking incidents such as fires and wild animal sightings. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the two officers who were wounded in the exchange with the suspect,"  he said. He also said that the area is technically outside of Big Bear.

Several people in the area tweeted about the chase:

UPDATE: Fugitive ex-cop and murder suspect Christopher Dorner was engaged in a shootout with federal authorities in the Big Bear area Tuesday afternoon, a law enforcement source told the Los Angeles Times.

The shooting occurred after Dorner burglarized a home, tied up a couple and stole their car, the source said.

Meanwhile, NBCLA is reporting that an officer has been shot and that authorities are responding to a report that fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner was spotted in the Big Bear area Tuesday afternoon. 

Reports followed word of a possible reckless driver in Big Bear Tuesday that may have been alleged cop killer Dorner, NBC Los Angeles reports.

Authorities would not confirm that Dorner was in the vehicle near the base of the Bear Mountain ski resort, and LAPD officials said they have received no information regarding activity in Big Bear, NBC L.A. reports.

We’re monitoring this situation for the latest updates.

Previously: Holy Angels School in Arcadia is closed because a relative of the pastor of Holy Angels Parish is named in Christopher Dorner’s manifesto.

 
The pre-kindergarten through 8th grade school sent an email to the parents of its 320 students last Thursday. A school official said parents had the option of keeping their kids home on Friday, and only about 70 students attended school that day.
 
The Parish’s pastor wrote a letter to parishioners that was read aloud during Mass on Sunday. In it, he announced that he will be away because a family member was named in Dorner’s manifesto.
 
“While I am not under direct threat from this suspect,” the pastor wrote, “both LAPD and Arcadia PD have recommended that I be away from the parish. I have consulted with the (Los Angeles) Archdiocese and they concur that this is a good decision.”

RELATED: LAPD manhunt: The search for alleged cop killer Christopher Dorner
 
The school was closed Monday and Tuesday as the manhunt for Christopher Dorner continues. Parish officials are considering options for reopening, including an option to hold classes in another location.

“When we make the decision to reopen the school, it will be because we can ensure the safety of all of our students, and we can also assure our parents that they will be safe,” said Ted Carroll, principal at Holy Angels School.

LAPD has gotten 1,000 tips since Thursday and the rate they’re coming in is up 400% since they announced a $1 million reward. Among the tips is one that said Dorner checked into a Manhattan Beach hotel after the Irvine murders.

Police are also reviewing a tape released by the website TMZ that supposedly shows Dorner buying scuba equipment at a Sports Chalet store in Torrance days before he allegedly murdered two people in Irvine and then went on a shooting spree in the Inland Empire.

Regarding police reportedly searching a hotel in Tijuana, Mexico Monday night for Dorner, Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Andy Nieman said “the investigation is going in many directions.”

Lt. Nieman also dispelled rumors that investigators believe Dorner fled to Mexico. Neiman said the widely circulating document related to the U.S. Marshals Service was prepared as part of the early investigation, and because of Dorner’s apparent attempt to flee by boat to Mexico before allegedly going to Riverside County.