Suspect accused of killing California police officer arrested

The sheriff leading the investigation into the shooting death of a California police officer took aim at so-called sanctuary laws that limit cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities.

Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson told reporters Friday the suspect was in the country illegally and that if he had been deported for previous DUI arrests, Corporal Ronil Singh would still be alive.

Christianson blamed California’s sanctuary law for preventing local authorities from reporting Gustavo Perez Arriaga to federal immigration officials. The sheriff says Perez Arriaga had two prior drunken driving arrests and known gang affiliations.

He spoke at the news conference about making laws stricter as the Singh’s brother wept beside him.

The sheriff says Perez Arriaga was a native of Mexico and had been in the U.S. illegally for several years. He says Perez Arriaga’s brother and co-worker also have been arrested for misleading investigators.

Perez Arriaga allegedly killed the California police officer during a traffic stop. He was arrested in Bakersfield on Friday as he was allegedly trying to cross back over the border before his arrest.