Los Angeles

Accused Cop Killer Faces Death Penalty in Slayings of 2 Palm Springs Officers

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against John Hernandez Felix, the man charged with the murders of two Palm Springs police officers killed in an ambush, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday.

Felix, 26, of Palm Springs, faces two counts of murder in the slayings of veteran training Officer Jose Gilbert Vega, 63, and rookie Officer Lesley Zerebny, 27, on Oct. 8.

Felix also faces three attempted murder charges because three other officers were at the scene during the shooting, prosecutors said. One was treated at a hospital and released, officials said. Two others were not hit.

The suspect also faces additional special circumstance allegations including multiple murders, murder of a law enforcement officer, and lying in wait, according to a news release from the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

"This was a heinous crime involving the murders of two police officers who were gunned down simply because they were police officers," Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said in a news release. "The victims in this case were responding to a call for service and died in the line of duty protecting our community."

Felix also faces allegations that he personally used a firearm, that he possessed armor-piercing ammunition, and that he wore a body vest during the commission of a violent crime, prosecutors said in the news release.

Felix is also accused of unlawfully possessing an assault weapon, unlawfully possessing a firearm after being a convicted felon, unlawfully possessing ammunition after being a convicted felon, and possessing stolen property, the assault weapon used in the crime, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors say he is a gang member.

Authorities say the officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call on Oct. 8 when a 26-year-old ex-convict opened fire with an AR-15 rifle through a metal screen door at his family's home.

Thousands of people gathered Oct. 18 to remember Zerebny, a rookie police officer, just back from maternity leave and Vega, a veteran only months away from retirement.

The youngest of Vega's eight children, 8-year-old Vanessa, addressed the 10,000 people who converged on the Palm Springs Convention Center for the memorial service. Several Palm Springs officers picked her up from home and took her to school this week.

"He will always stay in our hearts," she said of her father. "Even though we can't see him doesn't mean he can't see us."

The deaths have rocked the tight-knit resort town 100 miles east of Los Angeles. Residents have left scores of bouquets, balloons and notes outside the police station and have sold T-shirts to raise money for the officers' families. Police also donated diapers to Zerebny's 4-month-old daughter.

Felix has pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and weapons charges. He is being held without bail.

Andrew Vega said his uncle was born poor and served as a role model for him and other young Latinos. The officer told his nephew to set a good example when he set out to become a teacher years ago.

"I can only hope that my students looked at me the way I looked at him: sturdy, strong and an image of what is possible in this country," Vega said.

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