A gunfight outside the Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Peoria dealership in Arizona on Friday morning resulted in the death of one suspect, Junior Reyes, 30, and injuries to another detective from Phoenix police. This happened at around ten in the morning when Fugitive Apprehension and Investigations Detail (FAID) officers made an attempt to capture Reyes, a violent criminal with a history who was wanted for felony offenses including aggravated assault against law enforcement.
Tense Confrontation and Exchange of Gunfire
The Phoenix Police Department’s FAID detectives tracked Reyes, facing a felony warrant and other charges, to the car dealership’s parking lot. As officers moved in for the arrest, Reyes, armed with a handgun, opened fire on them. In the exchange, three officers returned fire, resulting in both the suspect and a detective sustaining gunshot wounds.
The injured officer, rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, is expected to fully recover, confirmed Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan. Mayor Kate Gallego expressed concern during a news conference, remarking on the unfortunate start to the year. Chief Sullivan highlighted the suspect’s known status to law enforcement and emphasized the well-trained nature of the FAID unit.
Reyes, who was not allowed to own a gun, died in the hospital from several gunshot wounds. The Phoenix Police Department and the Peoria Police Department launched internal investigations into the incident, which was the first officer-involved shooting in Maricopa County this year.
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Internal and External Investigations Unfold
Chief Sullivan assured that the Phoenix Police Department would conduct a thorough internal investigation, scrutinizing the events leading to the shooting. Peoria police, meanwhile, will lead the external investigation into the overall incident.
With the injured officer’s release from the hospital, the focus turns to understanding the circumstances surrounding the tragic event and ensuring transparency in the investigative process. The shootout raises questions about law enforcement’s ongoing challenges in dealing with known offenders and underscores the risks officers face while carrying out their duties.
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