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CNN Live Saturday

Authorities Search for James Beck's Body

Aired September 01, 2001 - 12:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: It's the aftermath of a deadly standoff in California, as investigators are picking through the rubble of a burned-out house in suburban Los Angeles. They're looking for the body of a man suspected of killing a sheriff's deputy during a shoot-out with authorities.

CNN's Hena Cuevas joins us from Santa Clarita, California with the latest for us -- Hena.

HENA CUEVAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Donna, L.A. County Sheriff's Department says they still haven't found the body of 35-year-old James Beck, who they presumed died in the fire at his home yesterday. The search for his body resumed two hours ago. And they've been using everything from bulldozers to chain saws, continuing the painstaking task of hand sifting through all of the remains.

The standoff between Beck and authorities began yesterday morning when ATF officials and sheriffs' deputies say they tried to serve a search warrant to Beck as part of a three-month ongoing investigation on federal firearms charges. Gunfire erupted and that's when 40-year- old sheriff deputy Jake Kuredjian was fatally wounded, a 17-year veteran of the force.

During the standoff, a fire erupted. And it's unclear at this point whether it was started from inside by Beck or by the tear gas that was used during the standoff.

With us this morning, we have Lieutenant Carl Deeley from L.A. County Sheriff's Department with more information on the search. What have authorities found so far inside the house?

LT. CARL DEELEY, L.A. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: Well, this morning the search is going rather slowly. It's slow and painstaking work. But inside the garage, they found the remains of several weapons that had been burned pretty much beyond recognition, but there were several weapons. They found scores of ammunition. And they also found a police identification badge. But because of the investigation and trying find out where it came from, we're not releasing what agency at this particular time.

CUEVAS: What's going to happen if you don't find body?

DEELEY: We are not taking for granted that he is in there, even though we are reasonably sure that he did perish in the fire last night; but we have maintained an investigation as to the remote possibility that he escaped sometime last night.

We do believe that that's pretty remote and the fact the house was surrounded by SWAT members. And he was not engaging in a fire fight up until the time the fire started. But in the meantime, they are following up any possible leads, interviewing witnesses, family members to ensure the fact that he did not escape.

CUEVAS: Thank you very much. That was Lieutenant Carl Deeley with the L.A. County Sheriff Department, as we all continue to wait for any signs of Beck's remains.

Back to you.

KELLEY: All right, Hena Cuevas there in Santa Clarita. Thanks very much.

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