In a swift response to a tragic incident, the Gila River Indian Community has put a hold on the revelry, imposing a temporary moratorium on dances following the fatal shooting of a tribal police officer, the community's leadership came together in a solemn gathering on Saturday night to approve the measure, says AZPM. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis indicated additional sanctions for infractions including trespassing and disorderly conduct.
The fatal incident, which catalyzed the council's decision unfolded at a birthday party gone awry in Santan, part of the tribal lands dotting south of Phoenix, The shooting took place early Saturday and involved a 911 call regarding a large crowd, FBI's Phoenix division, who's on the case, is yet tight-lipped about specifics. According to AZPM, Officer Joshua Briese, not even through with his field training and just shy of one year on the Gila River Police Department's roster, was killed in the line of action with one other officer wounded critically but stable presently.
The calamity did not end with the officers, four additional people caught in the crossfire sustained injuries; one later succumbed to their wounds, names have yet to emerge from the community as the investigation is actively ongoing.
Young Briese's lineage of law enforcement was shadowed by tragedy—his father, David Briese, himself served as a sheriff's deputy in Montana until a fatal crash while on duty in 2006; this fact was shared in a remembrance post by Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office on Facebook.
