WHITE RIVER, Arizona — A tribal officer died and another was hospitalized following a shooting with a suspect in White River, Arizona, south of Pinetop and Show Row.
Authorities provided an update on the incident at noon. Watch live in the player below.
Shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday, an altercation broke out between an officer and a driver while officers from the White Mountain Apache Police Department were stopping traffic on East Fork Road.
Officials say that’s when the officer was shot dead. He was identified as his 35-year-old police officer, Adrian Lopez. He is survived by one child.Ah go fund me It was established for the purpose of supporting the living expenses of the family.
“Last night, wives lost husbands and children lost fathers,” said Casey Velázquez, chief of the White Mountain Apache Tibes tribe.
“The community doesn’t know what it feels like to lose an officer,” said Jonathan Dalish Sr.
Dalish said ABC15 Officer Lopez recently came to his house and helped his family.
He says people are suffering and these officers are part of their community.
White Mountain Apache Police Station
The suspect took an officer’s patrol car and left the scene with White Mountain Apache Police officers in pursuit.
The chase traveled about 40 miles through the very remote area of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation to the Holy Lake area.
Officials say there was a shootout between the suspect and officers at the location.
One police officer was shot. He was identified as 29-year-old Ronnie Thompson.
Thompson was taken to a Phoenix area hospital for treatment. The extent of his injuries is unknown, but Navajo County Sheriff’s Office officials say they are not life-threatening.
The suspect died during the incident. He has been identified as 25-year-old Kevin Dwight Nacio of White River.
In February, Yavapai-Apache Police Sergeant Preston Brogdon was shot and seriously injured.
Agents from multiple agencies assisted in the case, including the White Mountain Apache Game Rangers, San Carlos Apache Game Rangers, Pinetop Lakeside Police Department, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Apache County Sheriff’s Office, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. bottom.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating.
After the shooting, the White Mountain Apache released the following statement:
The Tribe appreciates the police department and EMS for their swift and courageous response, and appreciates the assistance provided by neighboring jurisdictions. It is with the first responders.
Navajo County Sheriff David Claus issued the following statement:
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Department expresses its deepest condolences at the injuries sustained by the White Mountain Apache Police Officer and those who served the community today.
