Two Phoenix police officers were shot and killed by a suspect suspected of breaking into a vehicle, police said Tuesday. One of them was in critical condition and the other in stable condition.
One person has been arrested, interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan said at a news conference hours after the shooting near downtown Phoenix. He added that police do not believe there is an immediate danger to anyone in the community.
The officer, who was in stable condition, “was saved by his bulletproof vest,” Sullivan was quoted as saying by CBS Phoenix affiliate KPHO-TV.
“This is a terrible night for the Phoenix Police Department and for those who love and care for the officers and members of our community,” he said.
Sullivan said he spoke to the officer, who was in stable condition: “He was traumatized. He had just been shot, and his partner had just been shot.”
Officers responded to a call about a person attempting to enter a vehicle around 6:30 p.m.
“Upon arrival, the suspect began running and jumped over a fence,” Sullivan said. “Our officers gave chase and were met with gunfire.”
The names of the officers who were shot were not released, and Sullivan said it was too early to determine whether they exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The person arrested was found not far from the crime scene, he said, without providing further details.
Sullivan said the injured officers were surrounded by family and other loved ones at the hospital.
“Our officers have faced gunfire 11 times this year while protecting and serving this community,” Sullivan said. “What happened tonight is senseless. It makes me angry. I hope you share my anger.”
KPHO noted that Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said on X She said she was devastated when she heard the news of the shooting. “My thoughts are with the officers, their families and the entire law enforcement community at this time,” she said.
