Coast Guard Officer Killed Intercepting Boat in SoCal

Ship, suspected of engaging in drug smuggling, allegedly rammed officers

A Redondo Beach man was killed during predawn hours Sunday when his Coast Guard boat tried to intercept a panga suspected of drug smuggling near Santa Cruz Island, officials said.

The victim was identified as Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, 34. Ventura County Chief Deputy Medical Examiner James Baroni said Horne died at 2:21 a.m. from head trauma. Baroni said his office will conduct an autopsy.

Horne was fatally injured while trying to inspect a panga—a primitive-style, motor-driven fishing boat—suspected of illicit activities, Coast Guard officials said.