5/23/15

At approximately 3:44 pm, ACSO dispatch received a report of shots fired at the LDS  Stake Center in Eagar, Arizona. A female caller reported that a suspect fired at her from the cab of his red pickup truck as he drove by. Officers from Eagar PD, Springerville PD, Apache County Sheriff’s Office, AZ DPS, AZ Game and Fish and US Forest Service Law Enforcement responded to the scene.

 After initial officers arrived, the suspect fired at officers, striking an officer from the Eagar Police Department. Other responding officers pursued the suspect as he sped away from the scene. The suspect drove to his house and ran inside. Officers began establishing a perimeter and attempting to evacuate nearby residences.

 The suspect then began firing from inside his house at law enforcement personnel. A deputy from the Apache County Sheriff’s Office was pinned down behind a vehicle across from the suspect’s house. The suspect ran out of his house towards the pinned down deputy, officers from the Eagar Police Department and the Apache County Sheriff’s Office fired at the suspect, striking him and knocking him to the ground. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the White Mountain Regional Medical Center in Springerville, AZ, where died from his wounds.

 The Eagar Police Officer that was struck in the initial shooting is reported to be in good condition, he was treated and released from White Mountain Regional Medical Center. A woman was also struck in the shoulder by the suspect’s gunfire in the initial shooting. She was transported to Summit Regional Medical Center in ShowLow , AZ. No information is available at this time on her condition. The case is still under investigation.

 The Eagar Police Department and the Apache County Sheriff’s Office have requested the Arizona Department of Public Safety to take charge of the investigation.