This is a breaking story and more details will be provided as they become available.
[UPDATE] – Sunday, 8:00AM EST – Police have arrested the shooting suspect however no further details are being provided at this time.
[UPDATE] – 1:00AM EST – The police have no one in custody. There is a robot at the scene of the crime but police are not offering any other details if the shooter is in the house still or has fled. Initial reports were that the shooter had fled but those initial reports were unconfirmed and some are now saying the shooter is still in the house. This is still a developing situation. The police are saying that “they’re going to treat the house as if he’s still in it.”
Two police officers were killed and a third officer was injured in Palm Springs, CA Saturday afternoon after the officers responded to a “family disturbance” call said Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes.
Witnesses said they heard what sounded like “machine guns” and 10-30 gunshots.
Frances Serrano, who lives directly across the street from where the shooting took place, spoke to the father of the suspected shooter moments before the incident. The father told Serrano that his son, who has mental issues, had a gun and wanted to shoot cops.
“He came over and asked for help,” she said.
Serrano called the police and the father walked back toward his house. Soon after, Serrano heard gunshots. Later police knocked on Serrano’s door.
At 2:45 p.m., Serrano said two officers were on her front patio kneeling on the ground with rifles pointed at the shooter’s house.
The two officers killed are Jose G. Vega, a 35-year veteran; Lesley Zerebny, 27 years old, a new mother. Vega was set to retire in December and Zerebyny’s newborn child is about 4 months old and she had just returned to work.
Jose G. Vega, a 35-year veteran; Lesley Zerebny, 27 years old
Police say that a woman called around noon saying her adult son was causing trouble. The two officers arrived and the man wouldn’t open the door, threatening to shoot them. The next detail provided is that 10 minutes later an emergency assistance was broadcasted according to Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes. A third officer was wounded and that officer is alert and providing details to investigators.
Dozens of law enforcement officials are participating in a manhunt for the shooter. Reports are that the shooter was telling his father that he wanted to kill cops.
WBIR spoke with a witness:
Gerardo Barrera was working nearby in the quiet residential neighborhood when he heard gun shots.
“I saw a person on the ground,” he said. “Someone kept pumping her chest but she wasn’t moving.”
He said police arrived right away.
[revad2]
