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#LASD Deputies marching in formation as fallen Deputy Solano arrives to the LA Coroner’s office. pic.twitter.com/pGSjObJSqL

— LA County Sheriff's (@LASDHQ) June 13, 2019

\"Deputy Solano was known as a kind-hearted and generous family man, a provider for his mother and an exemplary father to his children,\" Villanueva said. He called the slaying a \"senseless and cowardly murder.\"

Villanueva was joined at a news conference on Wednesday with members of Solano's family, who at times were overcome with emotion.

\"Thank you to everyone that has had him in his prayers,\" Solano's son, Matthew Solano, said. \"Continue to pray for him and my family, please.\"

\"PHOTO:
LASD
PHOTO: Deputy Joseph Gilbert Solano from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
>

Deputy Solano's step-daughter, Jessica, said, \"he has been in my life for over 11 years. And not only did I lose a father figure, but a best friend.\"

\"Don’t forget about him,\" she said. \"He was a hardworking man and was loved by many.\"

“I not only lost a father figure, but I lost my best friend. Please don’t forget about him.”

-Stepdaughter of #LASD Deputy Joseph Solano pic.twitter.com/hRGSF2OvHn

— LA County Sheriff's (@LASDHQ) June 13, 2019

Rhett Nelson, a 30-year-old from Utah, was arrested on Tuesday as a suspect, after a revolver matching the gun used in the attack on Deputy Solano was found in Nelson's car, authorities said.

Clothing found in Nelson's car appeared to match the outfit seen on the gunman in surveillance video, authorities said.

\"PHOTO:
LASD
PHOTO: Rhett Nelson in a police booking photo.
>

The sheriff said there's no indication that the suspect knew Deputy Solano was a law enforcement officer.

\"The deputy was alerted in the restaurant that someone was following him and that's when he turned to confront it,\" Villanueva said. \"He confronted a threat not knowing what it was and in a split second he lost his life.\"

No motive is known, the sheriff said.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said that Nelson is also considered a suspect in the murder of a 30-year-old man in Los Angeles that occurred about one hour before Deputy Solano was shot.

San Diego authorities also said they're investigating if five armed robberies in the San Diego area over the weekend could be linked to Nelson.

It was not immediately clear if Nelson had an attorney. He is due to appear in court on Thursday.

ABC News' Alex Stone contributed to this report.

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