Suspect arrested in killing of California officer had prior DUI charges, was in U.S. illegally

Police arrested the suspect in the fatal shooting of Newman police Cpl. Ronil Singh on Friday morning in Bakersfield, Calif., officials have confirmed.

The suspect accused of killing Singh has been identified as 32-year-old Guastavo Perez Arriaga. He was taken into custody along with his brother, 25-year-old Adrian Virgen and his co-worker 32-year-old Erik Razo Quiroz, for allegedly attempting to help him leave the country after the incident.

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The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Arriaga’s arrest on Twitter on Friday afternoon.

WATCH: Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood discusses arrest of a suspect in the murder of Ronil Singh.

2:07 Police announce arrest of suspect in murder of Officer Ronil Singh

The Sacramento Bee and CNN reported Friday afternoon that the suspect had been taken into custody in Kern County.

Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson, whose agency is leading the investigation, confirmed this to reporters in a press conference on Friday.

During the conference, Christianson took aim at California’s sanctuary laws, stating that the suspect was an illegal immigrant from Mexico who has claimed to be involved with a criminal gang called the Surenos.

The sheriff added that had the suspect been deported for previous DUI arrests, Singh would still be alive. Singh’s brother wept beside the sheriff as he spoke at the conference.

According to the sheriff, his brother and co-worker who were arrested with him, were also in the country illegally.

Ronil “Ron” Singh was shot early Wednesday morning after stopping a suspected drunken driver in Newman, Calif., just southeast of San Francisco. Officers found Singh who had been shot, and he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

During a press conference a day earlier, Christianson choked back tears as he described how Singh “absolutely tried to defend himself.”

WATCH: Suspect accused of shooting, killing California officer arrested

1:23 Suspect accused of shooting, killing California officer arrested

The suspect in the shooting death of Singh, Christianson continued, crossed the border illegally. He has been described as a Hispanic man with black hair. While the Stanislaus Police Department released photos of the suspect, they would not confirm his name and birth date.

A manhunt continued until the suspect was arrested on Friday afternoon. Details about the suspect were not immediately available.

WATCH: Police believe suspect took Singh’s life over DUI charge

0:26 Police believe suspect took Singh’s life over DUI charge

Singh was the first officer with the Newman Police Department to die in the line of duty, Chief Randy Richardson said. He is originally from Fiji and is survived by his newborn son.

On Thursday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted about the incident, calling once again for stronger security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump’s demand that Congress approve $5 billion for a U.S. southern border wall has led to a partial government shutdown.

Several officials chimed in Friday afternoon, congratulating the county on the arrest.

WATCH: Kern Sheriff asked County where Singh was shot to be ‘non-sanctuary’ 

1:00 Kern Sheriff asked County where Singh was shot to be ‘non-sanctuary’

— With a file from the Associated Press