PONCE, Puerto Rico, Dec. 28 (UPI) — A police officer in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, was arrested after he allegedly shot and killed three fellow officers after taking them hostage Monday.
The arrested officer was identified as Agent Guarionex Candelario, who is accused of killing a police commander, a lieutenant and an officer.
“There are no words to describe this tragedy where three colleagues have lost their lives. Our condolences for the families,” Puerto Rico Police Deputy Superintendent Col. Juan Rodriguez Davila wrote on Twitter.
Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García Padilla arrived to the command of Ponce police headquarters Monday afternoon.
Candelario was shot on his right arm and was taken to a local hospital. Ponce Mayor María “Mayita” Meléndez Altieri expressed her condolences.
“Today, we woke up to the sad news of the murder of three members of the Puerto Rico Police body,” Meléndez Altieri said in a statement. “My condolences to the families of the police officers involved and ask God to give them a lot of strength, fortitude and serenity to absorb the news.”
