File photo of Jon Johnson/Gila Herald
Extended road closures for DPS investigations
by John Johnson
jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com
Safford – A police officer in Safford shot dead an armed man Tuesday morning after he allegedly threatened a police officer with a gun in response to an altercation between him and a utility worker.
Douglas Van Lahm of Graham County was hospitalized for treatment after receiving multiple gunshot wounds.
Officers were first dispatched to the 1200 block on 12th Street around 10 a.m., according to a Safford Police Department press release. Upon arrival, officers found Van Lahm, who had already threatened a public facilities worker in Safford with a handgun, and was still engaging the workers.
Phan Laam refused to put down his weapon and pointed a gun at one of the responding police officers, who then opened fire on him, the statement said. Van Lahm was then taken to Mount Graham Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-fatal injuries.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is investigating a police-involved shooting and closed roads along Ninth and Twelfth Avenues for an extended period of time.
Assisting the SPD at the scene were officers from the Thatcher Police Department and agents from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office.
