An off-duty Phoenix police officer was shot multiple times late Friday night in what is being described as an armed robbery gone wrong. The incident occurred near 35th and Southern avenues in Phoenix, as reported by ABC15. The officer, who has served with the Phoenix Police Department for seven years, was working at a nearby business and intervened after being notified of the attempted robbery of a vehicle in a parking lot.
Despite being in full uniform and announcing his association with Phoenix PD, the officer was shot by at least one of the suspects before he could return fire. The police department's Interim Chief Michael Sullivan sternly addressed the suspects' violence, "I’m going to encourage the folks who were involved in this incident to turn themselves in. We will not rest, we will not stop until we hold them to account for their crimes to the fullest extent of the law," as reported by the same, ABC15 coverage.
The suspects were seen fleeing the scene and are currently at large. They are considered to be armed and dangerous according to authorities. Tami Blake, a local resident and yoga instructor, expressed her dismay to AZFamily, "It’s very unfortunate and it really makes me angry that people can be so cruel, in thinking that they can steal a car, shoot an officer, and get away with it."
The officer was taken to a hospital and is reported to be in stable condition, and the investigation by Phoenix police is ongoing. The area where the shooting occurred has been closed off for what is expected to be "an extended period of time." Phoenix Police Sgt. Mayra Reeson acknowledged the gravity of the situation by saying, "This was a very violent attack, unprovoked. He was here to protect the community. We are extremely lucky that this isn’t a different case for us- that we’re not mourning an officer," via AZFamily. No members of the public were injured during the incident.
Phoenix police are asking anyone with information on the suspects to come forward and provide tips. Witnesses can contact the Phoenix Police Department or report anonymously through Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speakers). This shooting marks the 18th officer-involved shooting in Maricopa County and the 24th in the state this year.
