Prayers and a candlelit vigil for the victims of an apparent vendetta shooting.

Police are searching mountains in southern California for a fired Los Angeles policeman accused of killing three people, including the daughter of a retired LAPD captain and her fiancé.

Christopher Dorner is wanted for the murders after he declared war on law enforcement officers and their families in a Facebook post.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESWOMAN FOR SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CINDY BACHMANN, SAYING:

"It's been a tragic day for all law enforcement officers across the country; there was a murder and attempted murder of three law enforcement officers today, and the person responsible for that is still on the street and we don't know what he's going to do, we know what he's capable of doing and we need to find him."

Dorner's pickup truck was found on fire 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

The manhunt widened in scope and urgency when police learned that Dorner had posted threats online which they interpreted as a possible hit list.

Police have taken steps to protect some 40 potential targets.