USA TODAY :
A narcotics police officer in Puerto Rico was arrested after allegedly killing a police commander, lieutenant and a female officer during a hostage standoff Monday in the city of Ponce, according to media reports.
“No words can describe this tragedy in which three colleagues have been killed. Our condolences to the families,” Associate Superintendent Juan Rodriguez Davila said in a comment on Twitter.
The State Police said they arrested Agent Guarionex Candelario in the incident. Two of the victims were identified as Lt. Luz Soto Segarra and Cmdr. Frank Roman, both 49, according to the Associated Press.
The shooting occurred at police headquarters in Ponce where Candelario allegedly took the three law enforcement officers hostage, and negotiations were underway when the shooting began, AP reported.
Police said the suspect, who worked in the anti-drug division, previously had been stripped of his weapon but received a psychological evaluation nearly two years ago and his weapon was returned, according to AP.
“Ponce is in mourning,” Mayor Maria Melendez said in a statement. “May God give the family members of the police officers involved the strength, fortitude and serenity to absorb this news.”
