A 34-year-old Phoenix man, allegedly involved in two drive-by shootings, was fatally shot by a deputy in northern Arizona following a car chase, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix and Arizona's Family. The incident occurred Wednesday evening after local authorities were alerted by the Phoenix Police about a possibly suicidal suspect heavily armed and wearing body armor. The escalation concluded when the suspect, after being halted by spike strips, exited his vehicle shooting and was subsequently shot by law enforcement.
The Gila County Sheriff's Office was notified of the incident that same evening, which led to the subsequent identification and pursuit of the suspect's vehicle in the vicinity of Payson. He refused to stop for deputies and led them on a chase along Highway 260, which continued into Coconino County. Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers intervened, deploying spike strips in an effort to end the pursuit safely. "Upon the vehicle stopping, the subject exited the vehicle with a handgun and began shooting at the Deputies," the Gila County Sheriff's Office said, leading to a deputy returning fire and fatally wounding the suspect, as per a report by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Authorities have not disclosed the man's identity nor the motive behind the earlier shooting incidents. The first incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. the same day, near Cave Creek Road and Greenway Parkway in Phoenix. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, officers found no damage to a home that was reportedly shot at, and no injuries were reported. A second call soon followed, concerning a shooting at an occupied residence near 16th Street and Wescott Drive. Again, no one was injured. Both incidents involved a vehicle and suspect matching the description leading to the identification in Payson.
Gila County Sheriff J. Adam Sheppard expressed relief that no deputies or bystanders were harmed during the pursuit and subsequent shooting. "These situations are difficult; I am grateful tonight that members of the public and our deputies were not injured," Sheriff Sheppard told Arizona's Family. "Our partnerships with local law enforcement and neighboring counties are extremely valuable and this coordinated response proves that." The incident led to a temporary closure of Highway 260, but the road has since been reopened.
This fatal shooting brings the count to 31 officer-involved shootings in Arizona for the year, according to records from Arizona's Family. DPS is currently spearheading an investigation into the deputy-involved shooting while the community seeks clarity on the events that led to this violent and fatal conclusion.
