Palm Springs shooting: Suspect who killed two officers and wounded third taken into custody

Two officers killed when a man they had been speaking with suddenly pulled out a gun and opened fire

Law enforcement officers secure the perimeter near the location where two Palm Springs Police Department officers were killed and another wounded during a domestic disturbance call in Palm Springs, California, USA 08 October 2016 (EPA)

Police have apprehended the man who fatally shot two officers and wounded another in Palm Springs, California, authorities announced Sunday.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department said on Twitter early Sunday morning that the "suspect has been taken into custody." No further information was immediately available.

Two officers trying to resolve a family dispute were killed Saturday when a man they had been speaking with suddenly pulled out a gun and opened fire, Palm Springs police Chief Bryan Reyes said at a news conference. A third officer was wounded and remained hospitalised.

The chief identified the slain officers as Jose "Gil" Gilbert Vega and Lesley Zerebny.

Ms Zerebny, 27, had been with the department for about 18 months and only recently returned from maternity leave after giving birth to a now-4-month-old daughter. Mr Vega, the father of eight, was a 35-year veteran who planned to retire in December. He had been working overtime on his day off Saturday. The wounded officer's name was not released.

Riverside County SWAT officers quickly sealed off the normally quiet residential neighborhood in this desert resort town as police evacuated some residents. They told others to stay inside their homes, keep their doors locked and not to open them for anyone until further notice.

Although Mr Reyes didn't identify the shooting suspect, he indicated police had had previous dealings with him. He declined to elaborate, adding that Riverside County sheriff's deputies were now in charge of the investigation.

As the lockdown continued, scores of police officers gathered at Palm Springs Desert Regional Medical Center to offer a somber salute as the bodies of Ms Zerebny and Mr Vega were loaded into white hearses for transport to a coroner's office.

Meanwhile, in front of police headquarters, scores of local residents gathered to leave flowers, balloons and cards Saturday night.

"I don't even remember anything so vicious and cruel," said Palm Springs resident Heidi Thompson. "These officers are responding to a domestic call for somebody in need that they don't even know. They put their life on the line for us, the community. And they get gunned down? I don't understand it."

The shooting occurred just three days after a popular Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant was shot and killed in the high desert town of Lancaster.

Sergeant Steve Owen was answering a burglary call when sheriff's officials say he was shot by a man who then stood over him and shot him four more times.

A paroled robber has been charged with murder.

Hundreds of residents held a candlelight vigil Saturday night in his honor.

AP