Chandler police officers in stable condition following an officer-involved shooting

Two Chandler police officers are in serious but stable condition after being shot multiple times during an officer-involved shooting at a Chandler Wal-Mart Saturday morning.

According to Chandler Police Det. Seth Tyler, officers were dispatched at 6:20 a.m. to a Wal-Mart, located at 1175 S. Arizona Ave. in reference to a subject trespassing at the store. Tyler said the individual had previously been reported to have trespassed from the store, meaning it’s likely the individual had prior contact with store personal or prior contact with officers.

Witnesses said that when the first officer, Joshua Pueblo, walked into the store, the suspect began firing at him, striking Pueblo. A second officer, Daniel Colwell, arrived on scene shortly after and returned fire, hitting and killing the suspect who was later identified as 24-year-old Mitchell Oakley.

“We don’t know if he was able to return fire or not,” Tyler said of Pueblo. “You could call it what you want, but it sounds like an ambush to me.”

Police said that Oakley has ties to the Chandler area but that they believe he was a transient.

The officers were taken to Chandler Regional Medical Center. Colwell was released from the hospital late Saturday afternoon while Pueblo remained in intensive care. Tyler said the Pueblo required surgery.

Chandler Police later confirmed that Pueblo was shot in the face and is expected to make a full recovery. Police said both officers were wearing protective vests.

Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said at a press conference Saturday afternoon that he was proud of his officers and Chandler Fire. He was extremely grateful to the community, including one citizen who rendered aid to the officer until paramedics arrived.

“We’re especially proud of our community here in Chandler,” Duggan said.  “This morning’s incident is yet another example of how dangerous the profession of policing can be. Our officers responded to what some may call a routine call, even though we realized that there is no such thing as a routine call.

“But when they arrived, as they approached, they were shot multiple times in a matter of seconds. A seemingly routine call turned into a deadly encounter within a split-second.  At that point, the officers drew their guns and they shot and killed the suspect.”

Duggan added that the officers acted “heroically” and that they relied on their training, their experience and their equipment.

Both officers were fairly new and had been on the force for less than five years.

“These are reminders of how dangerous these jobs can be and how dangerous a routine call can be,” said Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny.

Donation accounts have been set up in the names of both officers at Wells Fargo.

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