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Palm Springs shooting: Manhunt for suspect after 2 officers shot dead & 1 injured in California Palm Springs shooting: Manhunt for suspect after 2 officers shot dead & 1 injured in California
(about 4 hours later)
Scores of police with armored vehicles have cordoned off an area in Palm Springs, California, where three officers were shot while responding to a call, two of them fatally. A manhunt for the shooter is ongoing, with police asking locals to not go outside.Scores of police with armored vehicles have cordoned off an area in Palm Springs, California, where three officers were shot while responding to a call, two of them fatally. A manhunt for the shooter is ongoing, with police asking locals to not go outside.
Police said they could not exactly determine the whereabouts of the suspect, although they believe he may be still hiding in the house, which has been now encircled.Police said they could not exactly determine the whereabouts of the suspect, although they believe he may be still hiding in the house, which has been now encircled.
At around 8 p.m. local time, witnesses described hearing loud, flashbang-like blasts and then seeing a police robot drive into the area.At around 8 p.m. local time, witnesses described hearing loud, flashbang-like blasts and then seeing a police robot drive into the area.
Reporter Brett Kelman said officers have been shouting, "Salga con las manos arriva!" ("Come out with your hands up!" in Spanish).Reporter Brett Kelman said officers have been shouting, "Salga con las manos arriva!" ("Come out with your hands up!" in Spanish).
One of the officers killed was identified as Jose Gil Vega. Vega, a father of eight, was supposed to retire from service in December, according to Palm Springs police chief.One of the officers killed was identified as Jose Gil Vega. Vega, a father of eight, was supposed to retire from service in December, according to Palm Springs police chief.
According to Bryan Reyes, Palm Springs police chief, Vega was not scheduled to work on the shift and chose to work overtime that day.According to Bryan Reyes, Palm Springs police chief, Vega was not scheduled to work on the shift and chose to work overtime that day.
The second deceased officer was a 27-year-old Leslie Zerebny, a mother of two, who recently returned to the police service and leaves a 4-month old baby.The second deceased officer was a 27-year-old Leslie Zerebny, a mother of two, who recently returned to the police service and leaves a 4-month old baby.
A third officer has been treated in the hospital and is helping with leads in the investigation. He is “doing well,” Reyes said. A third officer has been treated at the hospital and is helping with leads in the investigation. He is “doing well,” Reyes said, refraining from identifying the officer.
According to Reyes, police responded to a call from the suspect’s mother, who said that her son was causing a disturbance at their home.According to Reyes, police responded to a call from the suspect’s mother, who said that her son was causing a disturbance at their home.
After officers arrived at the scene, they attempted to “kindly negotiate” with the suspect at the porch. However, he refused to cooperate and then reportedly opened fire on officers without warning.After officers arrived at the scene, they attempted to “kindly negotiate” with the suspect at the porch. However, he refused to cooperate and then reportedly opened fire on officers without warning.
Multiple gunshots were fired in Palm Springs on Saturday afternoon, resembling machine gun rounds, eyewitnesses cited by local outlet The Desert Sun said. According to town resident Frances Serrano, the father of an alleged shooter had asked him for help prior to the shooting, claiming his gun-wielding son was going to fire at police. Riverside County SWAT forces sealed off the neighborhood as police officers evacuated some residents. Others were instructed to stay inside their homes and not to open their doors to anyone until further notice.
The incident happened around 1 p.m. local time (8 a.m. GMT) in the Cypress and Del Lago roads area. So far, no details have been released regarding the suspect that is still at large. The officers were initially called to the scene to deal with a domestic disturbance situation, KMIR reports, citing police. Town resident Frances Serrano told AP that the father of an alleged shooter had asked her for help prior to the shooting, claiming his gun-wielding son was “acting crazy.”
Serrano told The Desert Sun that he called police, and then the father of the alleged assailant walked away. The eyewitness then said he heard gunshots fired outside soon afterward and was subsequently contacted by officers. The breakdown was reportedly triggered by a breakup between the gunman and his wife. The man said he would shoot police if they arrived, Serrano said, adding that the suspected killer had been released from prison shortly before the shooting.
Another eyewitness said he saw a woman lying motionless on the ground, presumably a police officer. Reyes, the police chief, confirmed that the police had previous dealings with the suspect.
“Someone kept pumping her chest but she wasn't moving," said Gerardo Barrera, who was working near the site at the time of the shooting.
The shooting comes several days after a Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant Sgt. Steven Owen was killed while responding to a burglary call in Lancaster, California, on Thursday.The shooting comes several days after a Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant Sgt. Steven Owen was killed while responding to a burglary call in Lancaster, California, on Thursday.
READ MORE: Sheriff's deputy killed, another injured in shootout with burglars in S. CaliforniaREAD MORE: Sheriff's deputy killed, another injured in shootout with burglars in S. California
A male suspect shot and injured Owen, and then proceeded to shoot him four times at point-blank range, AP reported. Owen was shot in the face and died at a hospital from his injuries, according to Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.A male suspect shot and injured Owen, and then proceeded to shoot him four times at point-blank range, AP reported. Owen was shot in the face and died at a hospital from his injuries, according to Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.
The shooter, 27-year-old Trenton Trevon Lovell, was known as a hardened criminal. He has been arrested 11 times and previously served a six-year jail term for robbery at gunpoint, the Los Angeles Times reported.The shooter, 27-year-old Trenton Trevon Lovell, was known as a hardened criminal. He has been arrested 11 times and previously served a six-year jail term for robbery at gunpoint, the Los Angeles Times reported.