3 men charged in San Bernardino police officer shooting

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- Three San Bernardino men were charged Tuesday in connection to the shooting of a police officer who is now in critical condition.

Jonathan Contreras, 20, Orlando Cruz, 24, and Gonzalo Medina, 22, were charged with two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and one count of possession of an assault rifle.

On Aug. 22, San Bernardino Police Officer Gabriel Garcia and his partner confronted a group of men. Alex Alvarado, 28, allegedly pulled a gun and shot Garcia in the head. Garcia's partner shot and killed Alvarado.

District Attorney Mike Ramos said he wanted to send a clear message to future offenders.

"If you aid and abet or conspire with another person to shoot a police officer, or any other person, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Even if you don't pull the trigger," Ramos said in a statement.

If convicted, the men face a maximum sentence of life in state prison. They are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.