Authorities arrest man in killing of 2 Iowa police officers

By SCOTT McFETRIDGE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

9 years ago

This undated photo provided by the Des Moines Police Department shows Scott Michael Greene, of Urbandale, Iowa. Greene is a suspect in the killings early Wednesday of two Des Moines area police officers. (Des Moines Police Department via AP)

Two Des Moines area police officers were shot to death early Wednesday in ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars, and police are searching for suspects, authorities said. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek speaks during a news conference early Wednesday at Des Moines police headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. Authorities say two police offices were shot to death in ambush-style attacks about 2 miles apart. (Scott McFetridge/AP)

Law enforcement officials investigate at the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Urbandale, Iowa. Two Des Moines area police officers were shot to death early Wednesday in ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A police officer sits in his car at the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Urbandale, Iowa. Two Des Moines area police officers were shot to death early Wednesday in ambush-style attacks while they were sitting in their patrol cars. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

A Des Moines police department squad car with bullet holes seen on the passenger side door sits at the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. Authorities apprehended a man Wednesday suspected in the early morning killings of two Des Moines area police officers who were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

A Des Moines police officer stands near the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. Authorities apprehended a man Wednesday suspected in the early morning killings of two Des Moines area police officers who were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Law enforcement officers gather in front of a home near the scene of a shooting, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Urbandale, Iowa. Authorities apprehended a man Wednesday suspected in the early morning killings of two Des Moines area police officers who were shot to death while sitting in their patrol cars in what authorities described as separate ambush-style attacks. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa college says two Des Moines-area police officers who were ambushed and killed were both graduates of its criminal justice program.

Simpson College President Jay Simmons says the deaths of Des Moines Sgt. Anthony Beminio and Urbandale officer Justin Martin are tragic and the loss is “almost too much to bear.”

Police say a white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police killed the two officers in separate incidents early Wednesday.

Beminio graduated from Simpson College in Indianola in 2001 and played football.

Martin graduated last year. Professor Fred Jones remembers him as a “kind, gentle, compassionate man” who went into police work because he wanted to serve the public. Martin had interned at the Urbandale Police Department during his senior year.

Simpson’s wrestling team will wear blue socks to honor the officers at its meet Thursday.

AG’S RESPONSE

Attorney General Loretta Lynch has strongly condemned the killings of two Des Moines area police officers.

Lynch says the shootings early Wednesday are the latest in a “series of senseless attacks” and that “violence has no place in the United States of America.”

She says violence is “especially intolerable” when it’s directed at law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect the public.

The shootings follow the fatal ambushes this summer of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lynch says the Justice Department is determined to give officers the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Scott Michael Greene is suspected in the fatal shootings of Urbandale officer Justin Martin and Des Moines Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Beminio. Greene surrendered late Wednesday morning to a state employee.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.