New York Times

Two police officers were shot and killed early Wednesday while sitting in their patrol cars in the Des Moines area, and the authorities later arrested a 46-year-old Iowa man, who had a history of confrontations with the police, in connection with the “ambush-style attacks.”

The man, identified as Scott Michael Greene, surrendered and was taken into custody in Dallas County, just west of Des Moines, said Sgt. Paul Parizek, a spokesman for the Des Moines Police Department.

“There’s nothing to indicate right now that there’s anybody else involved,” Sergeant Parizek said.

Officials did not explain how investigators had identified Mr. Greene, of Urbandale, Iowa, as a suspect, but said he had already been familiar to the police. “Most of our officers have some understanding of Mr. Greene,” Ross McCarty, the Urbandale police chief, said at a news conference. He did not elaborate.

The two officers who were killed, in separate attacks a few miles apart, were identified as Officer Justin Martin of the Urbandale police and Sgt. Anthony Beminio of the Des Moines police. Both men were apparently caught by surprise and had no chance to defend themselves or return fire, the authorities said. [MORE]