Sandy MalonePhoenix, AZ – Two people were fatally shot and two Phoenix police officers were wounded during a gunfight with a suspect in north Phoenix on Sunday night.
Phoenix police said the incident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the Days Inn located near 26th Ave and Deer Valley, just west of Interstate 17, KTVK reported.
Officers said the suspect was wearing full tactical gear, including a ballistic vest and helmet, when he walked out of the hotel and started firing a semiautomatic rifle.
Investigators said the suspect tried to throw a Molotov cocktail at the hotel, but it did not ignite, KTVK reported.
Police said the suspect was firing at a nearby business when a car pulled into the parking lot.
Then the gunman fatally shot the man and woman in the vehicle, KTVK reported.
Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said that when officers arrive on the scene, there was an exchange of gunfire with the suspect.
Chief Williams said two officers were wounded by gunfire, KTVK reported.
Both were rushed to the hospital for treatment and the police chief said both were alert and expected to survive their wounds.
Police said three other people who were in the area when the suspect began shooting sustained various wounds from the flying shrapnel, KTVK reported.
The gunman was found dead nearby.
The police chief said it was not yet known whether the gunman’s death was self-inflicted, KTVK reported.
“Once again, this is another example of gun violence in our community,” Chief Williams told reporters at a media briefing after the incident.
“How many more officers have to be shot?” the police chief asked. “How many more community members have to be killed before those in our community take a stand? This is not a Phoenix police issue. This is a community issue. If not now, when?”
Officials have not yet released the names of the two people who were killed, nor have they identified the gunman, KTVK reported.
🚨#BREAKING: Two people killed, several others, including two police officers, hurt in shooting incident in northern #Phoenix, police in #Arizona say; gunman found dead. pic.twitter.com/pZJi2wRLM7
— Breaking News 24/7 (@Worldsource24) August 29, 2022
Two Phoenix police officers have been injured in a shooting near 26th Ave and Deer Valley. They are being transported to the hospital. This is still an active scene. Avoid the area. More info as we get it. pic.twitter.com/4XNoVYNoru
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) August 29, 2022
We continue to stay on top of a deadly shooting in North Phoenix near 27th Ave & Deer Valley – two people were killed and two Phoenix Police officers were injured but are expected to be okay. Team coverage on @abc15 ahead at 5AM
— Nick Ciletti (@NickCiletti) August 29, 2022
Here's a timeline from Phoenix Police on the overnight active shooter situation near 27th Ave. & Deer Valley:
-Male suspect left nearby hotel and started shooting at the hotel
-Suspect set off a Molotov cocktail
-Suspect then shot and killed a man and a woman in a car— Nick Ciletti (@NickCiletti) August 29, 2022
Large police presence near 35th Ave. & Deer Valley. @PhoenixPolice say 2 of its officers were taken to the hospital after being hurt in a shooting. We're told they suffered non life-threatening injuries & several others were also injured. We're working to get more details. @abc15 pic.twitter.com/FewhHKgLX4
— Ashley Paredez (@AshleyOnABC15) August 29, 2022
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Holly Matkin
