Update on Prescott Police Department Case
On May 14, 2025, the Prescott Police Department learned that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office had officially filed a case with the Yavapai County Superior Court. This case involves the indictment of Brian Sutton on charges of manslaughter. Sutton is currently in custody at the Yavapai County Sheriff’s office.
We appreciate the efforts of the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in investigating this matter and respect the ruling from the Superior Court. It’s worth noting that Sutton is no longer working with the city of Prescott.
There are ongoing criminal charges and civil lawsuits, so our ability to comment further is limited.
As for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, they have wrapped up their investigation regarding a shooting involving an officer that occurred on June 8, 2024. According to their reports:
On June 7, 2024, at around 8 AM, multiple calls came into the Prescott police about a domestic dispute. Reports indicated a male suspect threatening to kill his girlfriend, smashing the door of an RV, and locking her inside.
The officers responded to a location on Sycamore Drive; however, the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Daniel Leslie, fled the scene prior to their arrival.
Officers attempted a traffic stop when they spotted Leslie in his vehicle, but he drove away at high speed. Due to the risky driving, they did not pursue him. The investigation revealed possible charges against Leslie involving domestic violence and felony evading law enforcement.
The following day, June 8, around 7 PM, two Prescott officers returned to the scene on Sycamore Drive to apprehend Leslie. One officer approached from the front, while the other approached from behind to prevent escape. Officers confronted Leslie in the driveway, where he did not comply with verbal instructions and moved toward the carport area.
As Leslie attempted to reach the side door of the residence, an officer discharged three rounds from his firearm, striking Leslie.
Life-saving measures were attempted, including tourniquets, before Leslie was transported to Yavapai Regional Medical Center and subsequently to a hospital in Phoenix, where he was pronounced dead. The investigation concluded that Leslie was unarmed at the time the shots were fired.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation and a review by an internal committee. The case has been forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for additional evaluation.
Regarding the officer-involved shooting that took place on June 8, 2024, shortly after 7 PM, Officer Prescott responded to the same residence on Sycamore Drive in order to locate the suspect from the prior investigation.
Upon arrival, Officer Prescott encountered the suspect outside the residence. The situation escalated, leading to the officers needing to employ deadly force.
Emergency personnel treated the individual on-site before transporting him to Yavapai Regional Medical Center and then to a hospital in Phoenix, where he was pronounced deceased.
As is standard, an external agency has been called in to conduct an investigation, and currently, no further information is available.
