Gunman kills 2 police officers, self

McALLEN, Texas — Two police officers were shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call by a suspect who later fatally shot himself, authorities said.

McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez identified the officers slain Saturday as Edelmiro Garza, 45, and Ismael Chavez, 39. Garza was an officer with the Police Department for more than eight years while

Chavez had over two years of experience.

“We have lost two brave public servants who sought only to keep peace in our City,“Rodriguez, visibly distraught, told the (McAllen) Monitor.

The officers first met with two people who reported assaults that took place inside a nearby home on the south side of McAllen around 3:30 p.m., Rodriguez said. The shooter, identified by police as 23yearold Audon Ignacio Camarillo, opened fire when officers attempted to enter the home.

“They were doing their job. That is what they were supposed to do. The person was a suspect of the incident, met our officers at the door, and shot at both officers,“Rodriguez said. “The officers never had a chance to suspect deadly assault on them, much less death.”

Camarillo shot and killed himself shortly later, Rodriguez said, adding that the suspect hid behind a vehicle after other officers responded to the scene. Camarillo had a few runins with police beginning in 2016, including an arrest last month on assault charges, according to public records.

“Two of our finest were killed in the line of duty while working to protect residents in their community,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on Twitter. “We unite to #BackTheBlue.”

Law officers from several cities in Hidalgo County gathered Saturday evening at McAllen Medical to honor Garza and Chavez.