Updated at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8
The Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) in southern California says three of its officers were shot Saturday afternoon. Two have since died, police said at a press conference.
Lesley Zeberny being sworn in — Jan. 22, 2015. Photo: Palm Springs Police Department/Facebook
At the press conference, PSPD Chief Bryan Reyes identified the two slain officers as Jose “Gil” Vega and 27-year-old Lesley Zerebny. Reyes said Vega was a 35-year veteran with the force and was preparing to retire in September. He also noted that Vega had volunteered to work on his day off. Reyes said Zerebny had been with the department for a little more than a year and had given birth a few months ago. She had only recently returned to active duty, he said.
The other officer was “alert and well,” according to Reyes, and was providing information about the shooting to investigators.
Reyes said the shooting occurred when officers were investigating a disturbance at a home in the area of Cypress Road and Del Lago Road. The suspect refused to open the door and threatened to shoot police, according to Reyes. He eventually came out of the home and began shooting, striking three of the officers.
“It was a simple family disturbance, and he elected to open fire on a few of the guardians of this city,” Reyes said tearfully.
The suspect escaped, fleeing the area on foot. Multiple agencies were assisting with the manhunt for the suspect, who was still at large at 4 p.m. Alaska time, according to a PSPD spokesman at a separate press conference.
Reyes said the neighborhood in the immediate vicinity of the suspect’s home was being evacuated, but noted the suspect may have already left the area.
A description of the suspect was not immediately available.
“I am awake in a nightmare right now,” Reyes said when asked how he and his officers were handling the loss of their fellow officers. “That’s me, but you know what? As a chief of police for this police department, I gotta step forward and stay focused and I’ve got some very qualified managers here that will take a bunch of aspects of this investigation and we will press forward.”
Palm Springs is located northeast of San Diego.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
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