Bail Agent Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder In Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A bail agent who shot and killed a 33-year-old fugitive in Palm Springs has been arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, authorities said Saturday.

The shooting occurred at 1:47 a.m. Friday at a residence in the 100 block of East Via Escuela, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies were sent to the location regarding a panic alarm which was followed by a second call from the homeowner who said someone was trying to break into his residence. Moments later, a bail agent called police to let them know he was at the scene trying to arrest a fugitive and the suspect was holding a knife, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, who had a knife and refused orders to comply, prompting an officer to use a stun gun on the man, but he continued to defy officers' orders, police said.

The bail agent shot the man and despite life-saving measures performed by police and paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. No Palm Springs police officer discharged a firearm, sheriff's officials said.

The victim was identified as 33-year-old David Spann.

According to the sheriff's department, the bail agent, 36-year-old Fabian Herrera, was not properly licensed and was prohibited from carrying a firearm due to his criminal history. They also said that although Spann was wanted by a bail agency, there was no warrant for his arrest by law enforcement.

Herrera was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder.

Because Palm Springs police were present during the shooting, investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Force Investigations Detail were called in to assist in the investigation.

No other injuries were reported.

—City News Service