Suspect In Custody In Palm Springs Police Shooting
by Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police have a suspect in custody following a triple shooting in Palm Springs, California that left two police officers dead and another in the hospital.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office sent a tweet early Sunday morning: "Suspect has been taken into custody."
The Riverside County SWAT team used five rounds of tear gas, robots, and bullhorns to take the suspect down in an eight-hour standoff.
This after three officers responded to a routine call of a family altercation that ended with three officers shot.
READ: Two Officers Fatally Shot In Palm Springs, Another Wounded
Two of the Palm Springs police officers died from their injuries: 63-year-old Jose "Gil" Gilbert Vega, a father of 8 and 35 year veteran; and 27-year-old Leslie Zarebny, who joined the force 18 months ago and just returned from maternity leave after giving birth to a baby girl.
"I am awake in a nightmare right now," said Police Chief Bryan Reyes
He says the two officers killed were heroes.
"Today, Palm Springs lost two brave officers, they go out every day and put their boots on the ground for everybody in the community. They gave it all for you," said Reyes.
Police have not yet released the name of the suspects or the details of his arrest, but say he has had several run-ins with the law.