LOS ANGELES: Two US police officers were fatally shot and one injured Saturday while responding to a domestic disturbance call in Palm Springs, California, police said.
The shooting occurred after two officers went to a home after receiving a report from a female caller that her adult son was causing a disturbance, police chief Bryan Reyes told journalists.
“The male refused to open the door and threatened to shoot the officers through the closed doors,” Reyes said.
Approximately 10 minutes after they first responded, the two officers called for emergency reinforcement and said that shots had been fired.
BREAKING: Two officers dead, a third wounded in #PalmSprings shooting, according to a source. #California pic.twitter.com/rLbjFkuCAC
— The News Center (@The_News_center) October 8, 2016
“It was a simple family disturbance and (the gunman) elected to open fire,” an emotional Reyes said.
“I’m awake in a nightmare right now.”
Three officers were wounded in the gunfire and taken to a local hospital, where two of them died.
“Today, Palm Springs lost two brave officers,” Reyes said, his voice trembling. “They go out every day and put their boots on the ground for everybody in this community.
Officer Jose Vega has 8 kids. Officer Lesley Zerebny had a baby girl 4 months ago. Both shot and killed today in #PalmSprings #FoxNews pic.twitter.com/QvbJ7XeCHq
— Will Carr (@WillCarrFNC) October 9, 2016
“They gave it all for you.”
Reyes said the third victim was at the hospital but was “alert” and assisting investigators.
The police chief identified the victims as Jose Gilbert Vega, a 35-year old veteran of the department who was due to retire in December, and Lesley Zerebny, a 27-year-old officer who gave birth to a child four months ago.
Devastating. #PalmSprings PD confirm 2 officers dead, 1 injured and at hospital. One was 35 yr veteran of dept, 2nd officer just had a baby pic.twitter.com/l5ug5uNM40
— Alex Backus (@AlexBackusTV) October 8, 2016
The Palm Springs police chief said the area where the shooting occurred was still an active scene and the investigation had been turned over to the central homicide unit of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
The suspect remains at large and Reyes said police do not know his exact whereabouts, but “it’s still a fluid situation and there’s belief that he still may be in the house.”
