Breaking: Phx,Az Chief Garcia: 1 officer dead, 1 critical after fugitive gun battle
 

PHOENIX (CBS5) -

One Phoenix police officer was shot and killed and another one is in critical condition after a gun battle with a fugitive near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road Monday afternoon.

The officer, who was not identified, has been with the department for 21 years.

"I ask the residents of Phoenix to keep the officers in their prayers," Garcia said.

The other officer is "fighting for his life," said Garcia said. The name of the suspect, who was shot and killed, is not known.

CBS 5 News crews saw an ambulance flanked by police vehicles racing to St. Joseph's Hospital.

Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos said the two officers on fugitive apprehension detail were pursuing a suspect wanted on a felony warrant at about 3:20 p.m.

The suspect, realizing he was being followed, collided with several other vehicles, Martos said. Two people were injured in the crash - a 50-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman.

"After the collision, the suspect fled on foot around a building," Martos said.

The officers got out of their car and chased the suspect into the parking lot near the TitleMax. The suspect started shooting at the two officers, Martos said.

A third undercover officer with the fugitive apprehension squad appeared on the scene and heard gunshots.

The officer saw the suspect shooting at the two other officers, Martos said. The third officer shot the suspect, according to Martos.

CBS 5 News spoke with a woman who was nearby.

"We were just right by the door and all of a sudden it was just like, 'Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom,'" the unidentified woman said.

Martos said police are not searching for any other suspects.

The scene is roped off with crime tape.

The intersection will remain closed for hours, police said. Officers urged motorists to avoid the area.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton tweeted, "Nicole and I and the entire City of Phoenix family are praying hard for our two police officers and their families."

It was the second officer-involved shooting of the day.

At about 4 a.m. Monday, police responded to an alarm at Legendary Guns of the West Inc., near 19th Avenue just north of Camelback Road.

One suspect fired a handgun as he ran away after being confronted by police and an officer fired at him when he pointed a gun at the officer, investigators said.

Two people were taken into custody and officers searched several neighborhoods for a third suspect

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Isn't it funny they don't have mugshots yet?

This is another staged event, no officers named. No names or info on any suspects.

No one seen bodies, witnesses looked coached.

I smell BULLSHIT

it's a hard process to tell people this kind of thing. they have to tell the families first

Not true. Many times before we knew who tho police were and the suspects right away.
They even show prior mugshots of the so called criminal past.

I am sure they will come up with names to make a cover story.

I have worked in OP's and this is an OP.

You just have to be quick to connect the dots right away.
Same as it goes in the field or you die.

Relax Eddie...

http://www.azcentral.com/persistent/...03thornton.jpg

:stoned

ADG

it's not good i know the process personally :( when someone is killed

then wipe your ass better Eddie and you won't smell shit :2 cents:

sad deal.. I use to know someone that lived on Bethany home.. shitty area!

More victims from the "War on Drugs".