Two Phoenix Police officers responding to an alleged car break-in were shot, leading to the arrest and court appearance of 41-year-old Saul Bal, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. Bal is now facing charges of attempted homicide. Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan confirmed the incident occurred near the intersection of 15th Street and McDowell Road.
Following a pursuit that ended in gunfire, one officer was discharged from the hospital, while the other remains in a critical struggle for life. Cameras, including police body cams, captured the incident, which was confirmed running away from the scene and jumping a fence, Bal, as the gunman. "Mr. Bal poses an extreme danger to the people in our community," stated Josh Maxwell, an attorney with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, in court proceedings where Bal claimed, "I know they’re saying I shot at him or something like that, but I didn’t have a gun." Uncovered by AZ Family, Bal's criminal history spans back to 2007, predominantly involving drug and burglary charges, as well as prior violence against police officers.
The court set Bal's cash bail at $2 million, considering his criminal past and the fact that he was out on parole for a separate unrelated crime. Noteworthy, Bal had previously served prison time in both Arizona and New Mexico, with his parole due to expire the very day after his latest arrest according to the presiding judge. This marks the 11th incident this year wherein a Phoenix Police officer has been shot at, mentioned Interim Chief Sullivan. The community has since rallied in support, with initiatives like Operation Blue Ribbon advocating for solidarity with the officers and the 100 Club offering financial backup.
Reflecting on the mishandling of past assessments of Bal's criminal risk, Beth Goulden, a retired Maricopa County probation officer, highlighted to AZ Family, the need for a critical look at the criminal justice system's decisions. Meanwhile, Phoenix's law enforcement community braces, as the injured officers' colleagues and their families witness the profound personal and professional impact of the ordeal. Mental health advocates like Nathan Thompson from Arizona Police Psychology emphasize the importance of seeking help, saying, "Asking for help doesn’t make you less tough by any sense at all."
