Incident in Arizona Leads to Fatal Shooting
Forest Lake, Arizona. – A suspect linked to two drive-by shootings in Phoenix was killed by a deputy in Northern Arizona on Wednesday evening.
Details:
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office received notification of the incidents on June 4th. The Phoenix Police had indicated that the suspect might have taken his own life during the drive-bys. Reports suggest he was heavily armed and wearing body armor.
Authorities located the suspect’s vehicle near Payson around 8:15 PM. As law enforcement attempted to pull him over on eastbound Highway 260 in Coconino County, the suspect refused to stop. A pursuit ensued.
To halt the vehicle, authorities deployed spike strips in the Forest Lakes area.
When the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect exited, brandishing a handgun and began firing at the deputy, according to the sheriff’s office.
The deputy returned fire, striking the 34-year-old suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fortunately, no law enforcement officers were injured.
As for the road conditions, State Route 260 has since reopened approximately 35 miles east of Payson.
Alleged Drive-By Shooting in Phoenix
Background:
Police responded to a report of gunfire at a residence around 5:30 PM on Wednesday at the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Greenway Parkway. Witnesses claimed that someone in a vehicle was shooting at a house.
By the time officers arrived, the suspect had fled, and there was no visible damage to the property. Luckily, no injuries were reported.
While at the scene, police received a report of a person with a firearm at 16th Street and Wescott Drive. It was noted that the same suspect was believed to be involved in both shootings.
Investigators are now working to connect the dots between the initial and subsequent shooting incidents.
Unknowns:
At this time, no suspects have been officially identified, and the motivation behind the drive-by shooting remains unclear.
Next Steps:
The Department of Public Safety is handling the investigation into the shooting involving the deputy.
