"There are no words to describe this tragedy where three colleagues have lost their lives. Our condolences for the families," Puerto Rico Police Deputy Superintendent Col. Juan Rodriguez Davila said on the Twitter page of Puerto Rico's police force.
The officer in custody is accused of killing his supervisor Lt. Luz Soto, 49; Policewoman Rosario Hernández de Hoyo, 42; and Commander Frank Román, 49.
Candelario allegedly held his coworkers hostage in an office following an argument, authorities said, reports the New York Daily News. Police were about to start negotiations with him when he started shooting, killing the three hostages.