Gunman Shoots Cop Through Wall, Jumps From Balcony To Escape, Dies In Gun Battle With Police

Phoenix, AZ – A Scottsdale police sergeant working a special detail in Phoenix was shot while attempting to serve a warrant on Friday night, triggering a 20-hour manhunt by authorities.

The incident began shortly after 7 p.m. on Jan. 6, when detectives with the Special Assignments Unit responded to an apartment complex near Roosevelt Street and 1st Avenue in downtown Phoenix to serve a warrant on 37-year-old career criminal Kenneth Hearne, KPNX reported.

Scottsdale Police Department (SPD) Chief Jeff Walther said during a press conference late Friday night that Hearne was wanted for a number of criminal offenses, according to CNN.

Officers made contact with a woman and a child when they arrived at the home, according to police.

The residents allegedly claimed no one else was inside the apartment and were removed from the scene, CNN reported.

Detectives said they spotted Hearne when they entered the apartment, but that he took off running into another room.

The suspect then began shooting at them through a wall, according to Chief Walther.

A Scottsdale police sergeant was shot in the abdomen during the attack, CNN reported.

Police said Hearne managed to escape by jumping from a second-floor balcony, triggering a widescale manhunt.

Scottsdale Police and @PhoenixPolice are asking for help locating 37-year old Kenneth Hearne. He is wanted in the connection with the shooting of a Scottsdale Police Sergeant on Jan 6. Anyone with info call 911 or @silentwitnessaz at 480-Witness / 480-TESTIGO. https://t.co/BLBmHfLayE

— ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) January 7, 2023

He was located by police at a home on South Lakeshore Drive near Rural Road and Baseline Road in Tempe at approximately 5: 15 p.m. on Saturday, KPNX reported.

Phoenix Police Department (PPD) spokesperson Philip Krynsky said Hearne opened fire on police when he spotted them, according to CNN.

Officers returned fire, critically wounding the suspect.

Officer Involved Shooting/Arrest – Phoenix Police officers involved in a shooting while taking suspect Kenneth Hearne into custody near Baseline Road and Lakeshore Drive in Tempe. Officers are code 4 and suspect transported to the hospital. PIO enroute. pic.twitter.com/UvBNl1wkij

— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) January 8, 2023

No officers were injured during the shootout.

Krynsky said Hearne was in “extremely critical” condition on Saturday night, CNN reported.

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio later confirmed that Hearne died from his wounds at a local hospital, according to KPNX.

The SPD said the sergeant wounded in the initial attack was rushed to a local hospital and “is doing extremely well,” CNN reported.

The wounded hero is “expected to make a full recovery,” the SPD said.

His identity was not immediately released.

The Tempe Police Department (TPD) is handling the ongoing investigation into the incident.