Apache Junction, Arizona — A suspect died after a standoff with law enforcement officers at Apache Junction, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said the incident began around 3:30 p.m. when officers from the Apache Junction Police Department tried to crack down on the suspect following a domestic violence incident earlier in the day. It says. The suspect was driving recklessly in a camper after the incident. During the encounter he rammed a marked PCSO vehicle.
The suspect then returned to his home on South Acacia Street and barricaded himself indoors, according to the sheriff’s office. He was seen by law enforcement who responded armed with knives and handguns.
As a precautionary measure, neighbors near the house were evacuated.
The Pinal region SWAT team was called in to assist.
The suspect started a fire in a garage outside his home, which spread to several other nearby buildings, according to the sheriff’s office.
“During negotiations, a shooting incident involving the sheriff occurred and the suspect was killed,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Everyone is asked to avoid the S. Acacia Road and E. Southern Avenue areas.
This is a developing story. I will add additional information as it becomes available.
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Around 3:30 p.m., Apache Junction City Police and the PCSO attempted to stop a known suspect in a previous domestic violence incident who was recklessly driving a motorhome on Apache Junction.
The suspect returned to his home on South Acacia Road in unincorporated Pinal County and barricaded himself after ramming a marked PCSO vehicle.
The Pinal region SWAT team was called in to assist. The suspect was seen armed with a knife and a handgun.
At one point, the suspect started a fire inside a detached garage. It spread to some additional structures as well.
A shooting incident occurred at the deputy during negotiations and the suspect was killed.
Neighboring residents have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Traffic is asked to avoid the area on S. Acacia Rd. and E. Southern Avenue.
Details will be announced as soon as they are decided.
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Lauren Rymer
spokesperson
Pinal County Sheriff’s Office
520-252-3412
