Approximately three minutes later he called in “shots fired,I’ve been hit” Responding officers found Corporal Singh at the scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Cpl. Singh’s K9 parnter, Sam was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting and was not hurt. Sam was confined so he could not come to the Corporal’s aid. The suspect fled in his car after the shooting. Images of the suspect were captured on surveillance video. The sheriff’s office described the car as a grey, extended cab Dodge Ram pickup. At 3:15 p.m. on 12/26/18 police found the suspects vehicle and was taken in for evidence.
but did not enter a plea. Perez Arriaga’s attorney, Stephen Foley, questioned his client’s mental competency, leading the court to delay the case until the suspect gets a mental health evaluation. Perez Arriaga told the judge that his real name is Paulo Virgen Mendoza, but authorities were still referring to him as Perez Arriaga. Perez Arriaga is set to return to court Feb. 7, 2019 when a court-appointed doctor will provide a report on his mental health.
Paulo Virgen Mendoza, also known as Gustavo Perez Arriaga, later pleaded guilty for murdering Corporal Singh and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Mendoza’s relatives or friends helped him try to flee to Mexico. They helped dispose of his truck and loaded gun or provided him with transportation, a cellphone, clothing, food and shelter. His brother arranged for a smuggler to take him across the border, but he was found and arrested at a house two days after Singh’s killing.
