chicagofan00
08-29-2004, 00:10
From azcentral.com
2 cops slain in Phoenix shooting
Another wounded; suspect is dead
Louie Villalobos and Bob Golfen
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 29, 2004 12:00 AM
Two police officers were killed and a third wounded Saturday night by a gunman who was later found dead in a north Phoenix apartment.
Police said the incident began after the officers responded to a shooting call at the Northern Point Apartments in the 1900 block of W. Las Palmaritas Drive, just north of Northern Avenue.
Police said that when the officers arrived on the shooting call about 6 p.m., they found a man shot in the chest in the courtyard but did not know who shot him. After leading the injured man to safety, the suspect could not be located, and they began to evacuate residents.
The injured man had apparently been in a confrontation with the gunman, police said.
Police eventually learned where the gunman was located, and eight officers approached an apartment with the gunman inside. They feared more people within were in danger, but later learned the gunman was alone.
Police said the officers kicked down the door and the suspect opened fire, striking three officers.
Officers pulled their injured comrades to safety amid more gunshots from inside the apartment. One officer returned fire into the apartment and apparently struck the gunman, who staggered backwards, Detective Tony Morales said.
Officers sealed off the area and at 8:20 p.m. SWAT teams rushed Apartment 267 after throwing flash grenades inside. They found the gunman dead with a gunshot wound to the head.
Two officers, ages 27 and 30, died at the scene. The third, age 26, was undergoing surgery at a local hospital late Saturday. All were with the department at least four years.
Police did not say what weapons were involved, and it was unclear if the suspect committed suicide or was shot by police. The person whose shooting led to the initial call was in critical condition.
No identities were released.
Soon after the officers' shooting, dozens of police converged on the area, supported by a helicopter, a tactical team, a canine unit and emergency personnel. Tear gas was fired into the apartment shortly after 8 p.m. and the incident was over by 8:30.
"This is an extremely tragic situation for the Police Department, for our community and we greatly appreciate the thoughts and prayers of the community at this time for the families and the fellow officers that were involved," said Kim Humphrey, a Phoenix police commander at the scene.
A fourth officer was involved in a traffic accident on the way to the scene. He and passengers in the other vehicle were being treated for injuries late Saturday. The officer was in serious condition and the other driver was in critical condition.
Sergio Bautista was on the driveway of his home across the street from the Northern Point Apartments when he heard the first shot fired.
Then he heard a woman screaming.
A few minutes later, police arrived.
"And then I heard three shots, big shots," Bautista said.
Bautista's wife, Lorraine Guttierrez, couldn't believe what happened.
"We've been here nine years, and it's always been nice. But recently things have been turning bad," she said. "Police killed here - you never figured that would happen in this area."
Hundreds of people, peering from behind yellow tape, stayed out on the streets into the night. Traffic on a stretch of normally busy 19th Avenue was closed, and cars poured into surrounding neighborhoods.
Staff reporter Josh Kelley contributed to this article.
2 cops slain in Phoenix shooting
Another wounded; suspect is dead
Louie Villalobos and Bob Golfen
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 29, 2004 12:00 AM
Two police officers were killed and a third wounded Saturday night by a gunman who was later found dead in a north Phoenix apartment.
Police said the incident began after the officers responded to a shooting call at the Northern Point Apartments in the 1900 block of W. Las Palmaritas Drive, just north of Northern Avenue.
Police said that when the officers arrived on the shooting call about 6 p.m., they found a man shot in the chest in the courtyard but did not know who shot him. After leading the injured man to safety, the suspect could not be located, and they began to evacuate residents.
The injured man had apparently been in a confrontation with the gunman, police said.
Police eventually learned where the gunman was located, and eight officers approached an apartment with the gunman inside. They feared more people within were in danger, but later learned the gunman was alone.
Police said the officers kicked down the door and the suspect opened fire, striking three officers.
Officers pulled their injured comrades to safety amid more gunshots from inside the apartment. One officer returned fire into the apartment and apparently struck the gunman, who staggered backwards, Detective Tony Morales said.
Officers sealed off the area and at 8:20 p.m. SWAT teams rushed Apartment 267 after throwing flash grenades inside. They found the gunman dead with a gunshot wound to the head.
Two officers, ages 27 and 30, died at the scene. The third, age 26, was undergoing surgery at a local hospital late Saturday. All were with the department at least four years.
Police did not say what weapons were involved, and it was unclear if the suspect committed suicide or was shot by police. The person whose shooting led to the initial call was in critical condition.
No identities were released.
Soon after the officers' shooting, dozens of police converged on the area, supported by a helicopter, a tactical team, a canine unit and emergency personnel. Tear gas was fired into the apartment shortly after 8 p.m. and the incident was over by 8:30.
"This is an extremely tragic situation for the Police Department, for our community and we greatly appreciate the thoughts and prayers of the community at this time for the families and the fellow officers that were involved," said Kim Humphrey, a Phoenix police commander at the scene.
A fourth officer was involved in a traffic accident on the way to the scene. He and passengers in the other vehicle were being treated for injuries late Saturday. The officer was in serious condition and the other driver was in critical condition.
Sergio Bautista was on the driveway of his home across the street from the Northern Point Apartments when he heard the first shot fired.
Then he heard a woman screaming.
A few minutes later, police arrived.
"And then I heard three shots, big shots," Bautista said.
Bautista's wife, Lorraine Guttierrez, couldn't believe what happened.
"We've been here nine years, and it's always been nice. But recently things have been turning bad," she said. "Police killed here - you never figured that would happen in this area."
Hundreds of people, peering from behind yellow tape, stayed out on the streets into the night. Traffic on a stretch of normally busy 19th Avenue was closed, and cars poured into surrounding neighborhoods.
Staff reporter Josh Kelley contributed to this article.