Gunman targeted Palm Springs police in Saturday shooting

Prosecutors in southern California plan today to charge a known gang member with the murder of two Palm Springs police officers. John Felix, 26, opened fire on the officers late Saturday when they responded to a domestic disturbance call at the home he shared with his parents. Jose “Gil” Gilbert Vega, 63, and Lesley Zerebny, 27, died at the scene. Another officer suffered injuries but left a local hospital Sunday. The suspect’s father told a neighbor his son had a gun, was “acting crazy,” and wanted to shoot police. After the shooting, Felix held officers at bay during a lengthy standoff, finally surrendering early Sunday morning. According to court records, Felix received a four-year prison sentence in 2009 for a failed murder plot. Three years ago, police arrested him “forcefully” at the house where this weekend’s shooting took place, according to records. Vega, a married father of eight, had been on the police force for 35 years and planned to retire at the end of this year. Zerebny had been a police officer for about 18 months and had a 4-month-old daughter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.