#Suspects arrested in fatal shooting of undercover Cleveland cop

Three suspects were arrested Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a Cleveland police officer — who was working on an undercover drug deal when he was killed, authorities said.

James Skernivitz, a 25-year veteran of the force, was on duty when he was shot and killed around 10 p.m. in the city’s Stockyards neighborhood.

Police said the detective and his informant, who also died, were ambushed while sitting in a car, Cleveland 19 reported.

The slain informant was identified as Scott Digness, 50.

Sources told Cleveland.com that investigators do not believe Skernivitz was targeted. The shooting may have been random or part of an attempted robbery.

He was shot once in the chest, and Digness was struck several times.

Skernivitz, 53, who was married with two adult children, was assigned to the gang impact unit. Those officers wear plain clothes, drive unmarked cars and don’t wear body cameras.

The identities of the three suspects have not been released.

Police are expected to give more details at a 3 p.m. press conference.