Homicide

California man charged with murdering police to be in court

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, at podium, announces he is charging John Felix with two counts of first-degree murder and other crimes for the killing of two Palm Springs police officers, at a news conference in Riverside, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. Hestrin said Felix "wanted to kill police officers" and prepared for the attack with armor and special ammunition in the confrontation Saturday, Oct. 8, that left two officers dead and one wounded. (Richard Lui/The Desert Sun via AP) (The Associated Press)

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, at podium, announces he is charging John Felix, seen in poster, with two counts of first-degree murder and other crimes for the killing of two Palm Springs police officers, at a news conference in Riverside, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. Hestrin said Felix "wanted to kill police officers" and prepared for the attack with armor and special ammunition in the confrontation Saturday, Oct. 8, that left two officers dead and one wounded. (Richard Lui/The Desert Sun via AP) (The Associated Press)

Palm Springs Police Chief Brian Reyes speaks at a news conference where Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, not shown, announced he is charging John Felix with two counts of first-degree murder and other crimes for the killing of two Palm Springs police officers, at a news conference in Riverside, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. Hestrin said Felix "wanted to kill police officers" and prepared for the attack with armor and special ammunition in the confrontation Saturday, Oct. 8, that left two officers dead and one wounded. (Richard Lui/The Desert Sun via AP) (The Associated Press)

A gang member who prosecutors say targeted, ambushed and killed two Palm Springs police officers is scheduled to appear in court.

Arraignment on first-degree murder and many other charges is scheduled Thursday for 26-year-old John Hernandez Felix in Riverside, California.

Prosecutors say an attorney is being assigned to Felix.

The district attorney said Wednesday that Felix was prepared to attack the officers who responded to a 911 call from his family's home on Saturday.

Prosecutors say he wore body armor and used armor-piercing ammunition when he opened fire with an AR-15 rifle on the police who came to the door.

Felix faces special-circumstance allegations that make him eligible for the death penalty, but prosecutors haven't decided whether to seek it.