Police are investigating a threat made at Coronado Middle School.

An anonymous written threat against a staff member was discovered on Wednesday morning at the school, according to Coronado Police Department.

Officials said the school is safe while they perform an open investigation.

Principal Jay Maquard emailed parents at the school, calling the threat "sad and disturbing."

Earlier this month, a 12-year-old Poway student at Twin Peaks Middle School emailed a threatening message to a school administrator saying he planned to shoot a teacher and 23 students. He was detained and his parents later apologized for his actions.

A student at Pershing Middle School made a threat earlier this week targeting "popular kids" and was removed from school earlier this week.

San Diego law enforcement officials addressed the topic of gun control following three weeks of violent shootings throughout Southern California.

On Wednesday night, two sheriff’s deputies were shot in an Encinitas neighborhood during a standoff with a man who barricaded himself inside a residence.

Earlier this month gunman Christopher Dorner killed four people in Southern California, including two officers, prompting a statewide manhunt that ended in a fiery shootout in Big Bear. In a self-released manifesto, Dorner specifically targeted law enforcement officials and said he sought revenge against them.

San Diego County Sheriff William Gore spoke about the recent violence against officers during a press conference Wednesday afternoon, saying it’s time for action.
 
“What we’ve seen in Southern California in the last two to three weeks, at least in my career, has been unprecedented,” he said.

Following these incidents, Gore said he wants to see officials have a discussion about gun control.
 
"I'm tired of going to San Diego County hospitals to see if my deputies are going to live or not,” he said.

Gore also discussed implementing a universal background check, calling it a “common sense” approach to gun-related violence.

“If they want to get guns in the hands of good people we’ve got to know if they’re good people or not,” he said.

Police Chief William Lansdowne also spoke to NBC 7 San Diego and said the city has seen a drastic increase of mental health cases resulting in forceful situations.

"Where we've seen the real change is the rather alarming increase in number of mental health issues we go to in the city of San Diego and across the state now, and many of the cases most recently had mental health as part of the issue,” he said.

Lansdowne said he is doing everything he can to make the job as safe as possible, including support of the president’s gun legislation.

"I’m very supportive of president Obama and the changes he wants to make in this country as it relates to weapons,” he said.

But not all law enforcement members believe gun control is to blame.

Matt Clay, president of the deputy sheriffs’ association, told NBC 7 he does not believe gun control is the solution to the problem, rather more attention on mental health.

After a heated face-to-face confrontation between their mayor and city attorney, San Diegans might well start to wonder -- what impact will the feuding at City Hall have on municipal government and the city's image?

Twelve weeks into his tenure as San Diego's first Democratic mayor in two decades, Bob Filner is pursuing an aggressive game plan on many new policy fronts – in the process, knocking heads with the City Council and Republican City Attorney Jan Goldsmith.

On Wednesday, Filner gave Goldsmith a dressing-down during a news conference that the city attorney had called – and which Filner promptly crashed after finding about it.

"I am your client; that's privileged communication,” Filner angrily told Goldsmith, from the podium that the city attorney vacated following his presentation. “You not only have been unprofessional but unethical in this press conference … do not exceed your authority. Do not exceed your ethical responsibilities.”

The dustup involved a lawsuit that hotel owners are bringing against the mayor for withholding millions of dollars in disputed tourism marketing funds.

Goldsmith's measured reaction: "What I was thinking in the back of my mind, I said, 'We used to have a city attorney [Mike Aguirre] who wanted to be mayor. Now we have a mayor who wants to be city attorney'."

Filner has problems with Goldsmith's views not only on the tourism marketing issue, but several others.

He retains an attorney on-staff -- Lee Burdick, a former political rival of Goldsmith's, and a former Port Commissioner.

The mayor's recent veto of council appointments to the Port Commission also has made waves at City Hall.

Is this style of governance by a strong mayor cause for long-term concern?

"If this keeps up, the New York Times -- they will come, and they will profile 'Dysfunction at City Hall',” says communications strategist Tony Manolatos. "We saw what happened with 'Enron by the Sea'. It took us a long time to shed that label. We don't want to be 'The Circus by the Sea'."

But Voice of San Diego reporter Lisa Halverstadt, who had a front-row seat at the fractious Wednesday news conference, offered this take: "I wouldn't say we've gotten to a point of government dysfunction. But I would say that we've gotten more drama in the city of San Diego than we've had for some years now. We now have a mayor who's not afraid to confront someone who speaks out of turn or does something he maybe doesn't agree with."

Halverstadt’s colleague, Scott Lewis, says the friction stems from Filner’s strategy of changing city hall’s culture and re-distributing political power on the premise that short-term pain will yield long-term gain.

"It's the same framing on every single one of these debates,” Lewis explained. “'Let's shut this down. That might hurt, might hurt some of you right now. But in the long-term it's going to have a better outcome’."

There’s yet another viewpoint to consider, according to communications strategist Herman Collins.

"San Diego has long been a major-league city with a minor-league attitude; we need to grow up,” Collins says. “This is how big-city politics are played … in politics it's never been who wins or loses, it's about what you can live with. I think eventually we'll figure that out. Not only from the mayor's perspective, but as well from those who believe he is seizing power from them."

Filner's next confrontation could come Monday, when the City Council is briefed on the economic impacts of the Tourism Marketing District.

The district's funding, by way of a room rate surcharge Filner sees as an illegal tax, is being challenged in court by citizen activists.

At least three people were killed in a car-to-car shooting, crash and explosion early Thursday on the Las Vegas Strip that has resulted in a manhunt for one of the drivers.

The apparent target of the fatal shooting that led to a fiery crash was a rapper from Oakland known as Kenny Clutch, 27.

Five vehicles were involved in the crash, including a taxi that burned after the collision at Flamingo and Las Vegas boulevards, Las Vegas police told KSNV-TV.

The incident occurred at about 4:30 a.m. local time and followed an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles, Sgt. John Sheahan told the station.

Police said a black SUV pulled up next to a silver Maserati and opened fire on the luxury sports car at a red light.

The driver of the Maserati sped up -- ostensibly to escape the gunfire -- traveling through the still-red light. After a series of posts about his identity on social media, the driver's aunt confirmed to KSNV that he was Ken Cherry, a rapper from Oakland who goes by Kenny Clutch, pictured below.

Cherry's Maserati crashed into the taxi, causing an explosion that turned into a large fireball, according to witnesses.

Six other vehcicles were involved in the collision, which occurred at the heart of the Strip, police said.

The sport utility vehicle -- described as a black Range Rover Sport with tinted windows, black rims and dealership plates -- left the scene, traveling northbound. It was not known how many occupants were in the SUV.

Authorities said the gunfire was sparked by a conflict at a nearby valet parking area.

"Finding those involved is a top priority for my agency and law enforcement here in southern Nevada," said Sheriff Douglas Gillespie of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. "We believe the occupants of the range rover are armed and dangerous."

The California Highway Patrol confirmed it was looking for the Range Rover.

The Maserati's driver, the taxi driver and taxi passenger were killed, the station reported. A passenger in the Maserati was also injured and was cooperating with police, KSNV reported.

Several other victims who were nearby were also injured. At least three were hospitalized, police said.

It was not immediately clear whether the deceased victims were struck by gunfire or killed in the crash.

Las Vegas Boulevard north of Tropicana and south of Harmon was closed for the investigation. 

A dozen suspected members of a methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking ring were arrested by federal officials Wednesday and Thursday, federal authorities confirmed.

The bust was part of a yearlong investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Major Mexican Trafficker’s Strike Force dubbed “Operation Crystal Haven.”

The focus was a long-term drug distribution ring that was importing meth and cocaine from cartels based in Tijuana and Guadalajara, Mexico, into San Diego County. The drugs were then distributed in areas of northern San Diego.

A criminal complaint was unsealed Wednesday charging 19 defendants allegedly involved in this drug ring with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and cocaine. Including a previous arrest, 13 of those defendants have been arrested and charged as of Thursday.

All but two defendants appeared in court Thursday afternoon for arraignment on drug conspiracy charges.

Federal officials say the suspected drug ring members hail from Vista, San Marcos, Spring Valley, Oceanside and Panorama City, Calif. They range in ages from 22 to 68 years old.

The suspects arrested include: Jose Isidro Rodriguez-Lara, 42; David Aguilar, 37; Alma Jaime, 38; Manuel Marcial, 31; Felipe Garcia-Gallegos, 27; Guadalupe Natalie Perez, 22; Jose Luis Lopez, 67; Rosalia Lourdes Nieves, 30; Alicia Reyna Marin, 49; Leonardo Garcia-Gaytan, 26; Nancy Blancas-Pena, 26; Sylvia Sanchez-Zarate, 47; Miguel Gutierrez-Marantes, 26.

Fugitives connected to this drug ring that remain at large include Sylvia Lara, 29; Julio Cesar Rodriguez-Zarate, 38; Jose Juan Mancilla-Monje, 46; Edson Solis-Valdovinos, 25; Nathan Kahakulani Yasso, 68; Hernan Sebastian Bernal, 26.

The fugitives are all from Vista, according to investigators.

If convicted, each suspect involved in “Operation Crystal Haven” faces a minimum of 10 years to life in custody and a maximum fine of $4 million.

The agencies working on this case and task force include the DEA, FBI, IRS, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The multi-agency effort is mainly focusing on Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations with ties to San Diego.

“We are relentlessly pursuing major trafficking organizations that operate in our neighborhoods and imperil our children,” U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said Thursday. “It’s gratifying to wrap up a lengthy investigation like this one with many arrests and drug seizures, knowing the community is safer because of our efforts.”

San Diego DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge William Sherman said this investigation marks the end of this particular local, large-scale drug ring.

“This organization was distributing multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine in our cities, and making a huge profit. Throughout the course of the investigation, DEA and its law enforcement partners seized large quantities of methamphetamine and arrested 13 people who will not be selling their product on our streets,” said Sherman.
 

You hear about them everywhere... "superfoods"-- they're natural and nutrient dense- packing a punch.

One author offers her take on four popular supplements that claim to give you more energy and help you lose weight.

"I have been taking supplements for years," said supplement user Suzette Lang.

"I mean look at me I have so much energy and I swear it's because of all these superfoods I take,” said nutritionist, author and personal trainer Kimberly Olson.

Olson sat down to reveal some of her favorite slimming superfoods.

You've probably heard of green coffee bean extract.

"That is absolutely hands down out of all of them my favorite," Olson said.

The craze over green coffee bean took over after getting a stamp of approval from Mehmet Oz, M.D. who goes by the name "Dr. Oz" on TV.

Oz shares his favorite superfoods with viewers on his syndicated talk show.

The good doctor said you should buy green coffee bean with 45 percent chlorogenic acid- the key ingredient.

"When you take it before a meal the chlorogenic acid inhibits your body from using you food as fuel and forces your liver to metabolize your stored fat and use that as your energy source," Olson said.

"Well everybody's looking for hope in a bottle," said registered dietitian Carol Wolin-Riklin.

Wolin-Riklin said before you jump on the bandwagon, you should read the label carefully.

"The one thing you have to be careful of is every brand of green coffee bean is different some have fillers such as caffeine and other products added to it so it's not always the same product in the bottle," she said.

Another superfood to add to the mix - raspberry keytone.

Olson refers to it as the triple threat.

"It's going to help your body burn more calories at rest. it inhibits how much fat it stored in your body and it breaks down fat cells," Olson said.

Lang swears by it.

"It's really picked up my metabolism,” Lang said. “I have energy and it really helps suppress those urges to kind of pig out."

A superfood that has been around for generations is Moringa tree.

Known around the world as the miracle tree - it's believed to reduce cravings, curb the appetite and more.

"It has over 45 different types of antioxidants ounce for ounce in has 25 times the amount of iron found in spinach 15 times the amount of calcium found in milk and 9 times the amount of protein found in yogurt," Olson said.

Fans of Garcina cambogia believe in what Dr. Oz calls “the holy grail of weight loss supplements.”

"It's been found to be three times more effective than diet and exercise alone," Olson claims.

"No matter which supplements and vitamins you decide to take it's recommended you discuss each and every one of them with your doctor to make sure that they're right for you

"Sometimes they do interact with blood pressure medications cholesterol medications heart medications," Wolin-Riklin warns.
 

The Deputy Sheriffs’ Association has set up a relief fund for a deputy wounded in the line of duty in Encinitas.

On Wednesday, Deputy Colin Snodgrass, 27, was shot in the leg during a standoff in Encinitas with suspect Evan Kwik, 22, who barricaded himself inside his mother’s home on Del Rio Avenue after stealing her car.

As deputies were attempting to get Kwik out of the home using tear gas, Kwik opened fire, shooting and wounding Snodgrass, as well as Deputy James Steinmeyer, 31.

After nearly a 24-hour standoff, officials found Kwik dead inside the home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Learn more about the shooting suspect here.

Both Encinitas Station deputies suffered non-life threatening wounds and were transported to a local trauma center.

Dep. Steinmeyer (pictured below) sustained a minor wound to the forehead and was treated and released from the hospital the same day.

Dep. Snodgrass was rushed into surgery and currently remains hospitalized at Scripps Memorial in La Jolla. He underwent a second surgery Thursday and officials say he’s expected to make a slow but full recovery.

According to the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Snodgrass is recovering from severe vascular injuries to his right leg. So far, surgeons have removed bullet fragments and debris from the deputy’s leg and begun reconstruction on the bones.

The recovery process will likely be lengthy for the four-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Officials say multiple surgeries and months of recovery are expected at this point.

A relief fund account has been established for Dep. Snodgrass and his family through the San Diego County Credit Union. The account is under “Deputy Colin Snodgrass Support Fund.”

Anyone who would like to contribute to the fund can do so at local SDCCU branches, in person at the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association office in Poway, or by calling the DSA office at (858) 486-9009, ext. 100.

Following Wednesday’s shooting, San Diego County Sheriff William Gore spoke about recent violence against officers at a press conference, saying it’s time for action.

"When we take the oath to serve and protect, we know we are entering a dangerous profession. Four of my deputies have been shot in the last five months. I am tired of going to San Diego County hospitals to see if my deputies are going to live or not,” said Gore.
 

One person was injured and a family pet killed in a Lakeside house fire early Friday.

Neighbors told NBC 7 San Diego flames jumped up to 15 feet into the air when the fire broke out inside the home on River Street around 3:30 a.m.

Firefighters say a space heater started the fire where three adults and two children live.

One person was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. One of the family’s dogs died in the fire according to the fire chief.

Crews were able to get to the home quickly because the fire station is located less than a mile away.
 

Flowers are known to attract pollinators through petal colors, shapes and scent. But now scientists have found an invisible feature that flowers use to get more attraction: their unique electric fields.

Plants generally emit weak negative electric fields and bees are able to detect these electric signals, according to researchers at the University of Bristol in England. The research was published Thursday in the latest online edition of the journal Science Express.

The study found that bees’ flapping wings create a positive electrical charge of up to 200 volts as they fly through the air. They forge a special connection when encountering the charged flowers, scienti.

The electricity is not enough to produce sparks, but it makes flowers easier for the bees to remember. And the bees can keep track of different flowers by their electric fields.

"This novel communication channel reveals how flowers can potentially inform their pollinators about the honest status of their precious nectar and pollen reserves," study leader Professor Daniel Robert, from the University of Bristol, told the U.K Guardian.

A 10-year old Massachusetts boy reportedly called police in protest over his bedtime earlier this week. 

Dan Davis dialed 911 just after 8 p.m. on Wednesday night and hung up before speaking to anyone.  He then retreated to his bed and hid under the covers, according to Brockton-based newspaper The Enterprise.

Davis is a fourth grader who wanted to stay up later than usual while on vacation from school.

When the dispatcher called the boy back at his home his mother answered the phone and explained the situation. Shamayne Rosario, a mother of six, said that her son refused to go to bed and threatened to call the police to report her.

"I said go ahead," she told NBC affiliate WHDH.

The boy chose not to get back on the phone with officials while his mother berated him for calling the emergency line.

As the department is required to confirm all calls in person, officers were sent to the family's home. Rosario asked the responding officer to explain the importance of 911 calls to her son, also outlining when such calls are appropriate.

Rosario told Enterprise that she believes her son learned his lesson.

No one involved was charged, but Dan was grounded for two weeks.

There was never any finger in the bowl of Wendy's chili. But there's yet another lie allegedly concocted by legendary scammer Anna Ayala, according to prosecutors.

Ayala, 47, is the woman whose legendary plan to bilk money out of Wendy's six years ago -- using a real human finger, bought by her and her husband from a co-worker for $100 and planted into a cup of fast-food chili -- sparked world-wide attention. The scam cost the restaurant chain $21 million worldwide, Wendy's claims -- and Ayala her freedom. She served four years in prison.

Now Ayala's version of the truth is called into question yet again. She was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to a felony and for filing a false police report -- this time for an incident of gun violence involving her son, Guadalupe "Junior" Reyes, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

At a news conference on Friday, San Jose Police Sgt. Jason Dwyer said that "this is the last thing we need. It's tying up our already overworked patrol division and investigators."

In court on Friday, though, Ayala's sister said she didn't know what her sister had done, but she believes she is innocent.

Cops found Reyes, 26, with a gunshot wound to his ankle in front of the home he shares with Ayala. Reyes has a burglary conviction and is not allowed to own a gun.

Mom and son told cops that two men approached Reyes and shot him "for no rhyme or reason," the newspaper reported. They provided a description of the assailants -- and cops found a match, the newspaper reported.

But after police investigated, the pair changed their stories. All of a sudden, Junior was chasing a dog. Then police confronted him with what they thought was the real story: he shot himself, and isn't allowed to own a gun. He confessed to it -- and now he and his mother are back in court Friday facing up to four years in prison.

Again.

Related:

• Wendy's "Chili Finger Lady" Comes Clean 

Three District of Columbia firefighters are facing possible disciplinary action after appearing with President Obama during a press event.

Earlier this week the president was flanked by first responders as he spoke about the impact of sequestration. Kenneth Ellerbe, chief of D.C.'s Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department, told News4 Washington the three members of DCFEMS who participated in the event may have violated department regulations.

“I didn’t know about it, the deputy mayor didn’t know about it, the mayor didn’t know about it," Ellerbe said. "There should be protocol followed anytime one of our employees representing the District of Columbia appears at a public event.”

Ellerbe says the three have each been ordered to file a special report on the event detailing how they came to appear with the president and who authorized it.

“How did they get there, why were they there and why didn’t we know about it before?” Ellerbe said.

Ed Smith, president of Local 36 of the firefighter’s union, said his office facilitated the appearance by the firefighters. “The request came through the International Association of Firefighters,” Smith said, adding that it’s not the first time D.C. firefighters have been asked to appear with the president.

But he said, it’s the first time it’s been an issue. “We’ve done this before. I would hope it doesn’t come to any discipline. They were supporting our president,” he said.

Ellerbe would not identify the department members involved, but one of those pictured is Lt. Robert Alvarado, who has been disciplined in the past by Ellerbe. In 2012 Alvarado was placed on leave after he wore a uniform with an outdated logo.

Ellerbe says requiring Alvarado and the others to explain why they attended the event in their dress uniforms is not payback for any previous incidents.

“There’s no payback, we don’t operate in a payback environment. I know folks say that but it’s not true.” Ellerbe insited.

Ellerbe says none of the firefighters are facing termination, but added one of those involved is a woman who is new to the department and still on a probationary period.

Follow Mark Segraves on Twitter at @SegravesNBC4

A San Diego woman contacted police when she saw what she believed to be a shopping bag with a dime-sized hole concealing a camera in a Fashion Valley store dressing room.

Nicole Schull contacted NBC 7 San Diego to share her story about what she says happened in a Forever 21 dressing room,

Schull was trying on clothes when she noticed a bag in her dressing room. Thinking someone left it there by accident, she didn’t think twice about it and continued to try on clothes she told NBC 7 San Diego.

After approximately 15 to 20 minutes, she says she noticed something strange.

She saw a dime-sized hole in the bag. When she took a closer look, she says she saw a camera.

As she tried to grab the bag, Schull said a man in the stall next to her grabbed the bag as well.

He took off and she followed him screaming she said.

Schull said employees of the store stopped the man but she says they didn’t find a camera so they let him go.

San Diego police officers confirmed they are investigating the incident.

Schull said she plans to follow up in the hopes that whoever is responsible is caught.

NBC 7 San Diego has contacted the Forever 21 corporate offices in Los Angeles and is awaiting their reply.

The circus that is the annual NFL Combine has pitched its tents in Indianapolis for the weekend. Anyone looking for a good place to eat in Indy (and can't get reservations at St. Elmo) should just ask new Chargers general manager Tom Telesco.

"Everything I have learned has been from the Colts, really," Telesco said.

That means he's learned how to find a great Midwest steak, and how to win football games.

Telesco arrived in Indy in 1998, the same year as Peyton Manning. He was there through 2012. In that time, the Colts missed the playoffs three times (Manning's rookie year, the 2001 season, and 2011, when Peyton missed the year with a neck injury and was replaced by Curtis Painter) and went to two Super Bowls, winning one.

Indy sustained that success despite having terrible draft positions. Victims of their own success, between 2000 and 2010 the Colts never had a top-10 pick, drafted four times in the 30's, and didn't even have a first-round selection twice.

Yet they still kept winning.

Telesco was there the whole time, learning all the tricks of Bill Polian's trade. Now that he's got his own team to run, we get to see just how much the learner absorbed from the master.

Telesco knows his offensive line needs help. Lots and lots of help. But they're not the only one. Telesco is looking at the entire offensive unit.

"The group, as a whole, we need to get improvement from," said Telesco on Thursday. "We need the whole group, together, offensive line, tight ends, backs, receivers, to get that group playing better."

Philip Rivers was sacked 49 times, 11 more than he'd ever gone down in a season. Rivers was sacked a total of 49 times in the 2006 and 2007 seasons combined.

It's no coincidence, both of those years were in LaDainian Tomlinson's prime. The threat of a running game can work wonders for your quarterback. Which brings us to Ryan Mathews.

The first round pick in 2010 has simply not panned out. Injuries (10 missed games in three years) and ineffectiveness (7 lost fumbles, just 5 fewer than LT had in 11 years) have everyone wondering if Mathews can be an every-down back in the NFL.

Telesco says he sees Ryan's talent, but doesn't want him taking too much punishment. So, he's looking hard at running backs over the weekend.

"We'd like a complement back, there's no doubt about it," said Telesco, who saw 4 different players rush for 1,000 yards in a season during his time in Indy. "I'm a big believer in two backs. These guys take a lot of punishment during the year. So, to have two backs back there, actually you'd like three, but you'd like to have two backs you can lean on. It doesn't really bother me what kind of style it is, as long as he can come in and play."

That last part might be the most important. The Chargers just need guys who can come in and play well. After last year's free agent class fizzled out (the lone exception being LB Jarret Johnson, who played extemely well on defense), the Bolts can't miss on any more new players, especially with the way the Broncos are set up.

Telesco knows a little bit about how good Peyton Manning is. Hopefully he also knows where to find some Kryptonite.

The ex-LAPD officer who died during a fiery gunfight while being pursued for a revenge-motivated killing spree garnered support online for his statements in a widely read manifesto.

But after Christopher Dorner’s death on Feb. 12, that support has been on display as posters of his image above the word "hope" have been plastered throughout Southland neighborhoods on utility boxes and billboards, including on a Girl Scouts cookies advertisement.

Signs of support for the rogue officer aren't just being posted; they're being inked.

A 23-year-old man, who only identified himself as Mark, elected to tattoo Dorner’s smiling face on his arm (pictured below). He said it's a symbol of standing up to what he called a corrupt system of law enforcement.

"I don't necessarily have much love for the LAPD myself, as I've had my share of altercations with them," he said.

"I guess you can say it was a form of rebellion."

More than 40 flyers posted in Riverside -- where a police officer was killed allegedly by Dorner -- have been taken down by city crews. The City of Los Angeles' Public Works Department said it will remove the signs, if they are reported.

Despite the apparent proliferation of support, many residents said regardless of Dorner's message, the man accused of killing innocent people should never be hailed a hero.

"There's absolutely no way to explain anything like that," said Andre Vlasov. "Hope? Hope for what? That there's going to be more people like that out there going around and killing other people? That's just insane."

Soon after police announced that Dorner was wanted in the slayings of a former police captain’s daughter and her fiancé in Irvine, several Facebook pages appeared in support of the fired LAPD officer who vowed to attack law enforcement agents and their families until the department cleared his name.

Police said Dorner went on to attack a pair of on-duty officers waiting at a red light in Riverside, killing Officer Michael Crain. Then, in his last standoff with authorities, Dorner fatally shot Detective Jeremiah MacKay during a gunfight in Big Bear, authorities said.

Two days after Dorner's remains were identified, a protest outside LAPD headquarters drew about two dozen demonstrators who said they "stand with Dorner."

Facebook pages and posts, tweets and street flyers appear to be motivated by an anti-police attitude that the ex-officer espouses in his manifesto.

In an 11,400-word manifesto published online, Dorner accused the LAPD of nurturing a culture of racism and demanded the department reopen the case into his 2008 firing from force, which came after Dorner reported a colleague for alleged brutality.

The former police officer died from a single gunshot wound to the head as authorities descended on him as he was barricaded inside a mountain cabin east of Los Angeles, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.

An authentic photo surfaced Friday afternoon capturing the bright light seen by dozens of Southern California sky watchers.

About 50 people contacted the American Meteor Society on Thursday with reports of a "green fireball" lighting up the sky. Sightings were reported in Ventura, Anaheim, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, Paso Robles, San Francisco and Santa Barbara, according to the group's website.

Photographer Susan Lary of the Southern California Weather Authority captured the so-called fireball and provided the image to NBC News.

Lary's photograph (pictured, above) was taken with a 1-minute exposure in Lancaster, Calif., facing southwest.

Did you see it? Send your photos and video to isee@NBCLA.com | Q&A: Meteors, Meteorites and Asteroids

"I saw a light and looked directly at the meteor as it came down in the ocean off Corona Del Mar. Bits came off, and it was bright white," Laguna Hills resident Patric Barry wrote in an email to NBC4.

Barry spotted the object out of his living room window about 10:35 p.m.

The sightings come days after Bay Area residents were treated to a light show of their own when a fireball was seen streaking across the sky. Another fireball sighting was reported this month in Florida, but the most spectacular celestial event occurred when a meteor soared over Russia before the rock slammed into Earth's surface, sending shockwaves across a widespread area.

The sightings were reported as a 50-foot asteroid estimated to weigh 143,000 tons -- dubbed 2012 DA14 -- made an historic fly-by.