A San Diego man accused of shooting and killing a brother and sister was ordered to be held without bail after his first court appearance Tuesday.
Felipe DeJesus Vega, 39, is accused of shooting and killing Alexis Velarde, 22, and Arline Iribe, 20, in Mountain View on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Family of the victims described Vega was a close family friend. Police said Velarde tried to shield his sister from the gunfire before he died. Both siblings succumbed to their wounds.
Investigators have not yet released any details about a possible motive for the killings.
Prosecutors argued against bail at Vega's arraignment, saying he destroyed a family within minutes.
Vega pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations.
Vega was the subject of a police manhunt for five days before he was shot in a confrontation with San Diego Police in City Heights Friday.
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After a high-speed freeway pursuit, officers said Vega refused to get out of his vehicle. During the pursuit, officers say Vega threw a handgun out of the window of his car.
When the SWAT team arrived, they drove their BearCat armored vehicle into the back of Vega's car.
Tear gas was deployed toward the suspect at least twice, but the standoff continued for more than two hours.
According to the SDPD, Vega exited his car and allegedly reached for his waistband while turning toward officers and emergency negotiators.
There was a struggle between the officers and the suspect that lasted several seconds. SDPD Officer Christopher Luth, an 11-year veteran of the department, fired one round at Vega, striking him in his upper torso.
Vega was handcuffed and loaded into an ambulance which transported him to a local hospital. No officers were injured in this standoff and shooting, the SDPD said.
