Phoenix-area police officer shot in the face given the OK to go home
Apr 29, 2016, 9:39 AM | Updated: 11:50 am
(Chandler Police Department Photos)
PHOENIX — A police officer who was shot in the face while responding to a call at a Phoenix-area store was released from the hospital Friday morning.
Officer Joshua Pueblo left Chandler Regional Medical Center nearly a week after he and partner Daniel Colwell were fired on at a Chandler Walmart.
Colwell was able to go home earlier in the week but Pueblo arrived at the hospital in critical condition and underwent two surgeries. He had been recovering in the intensive-care unit.
When Pueblo left the hospital, he was greeted with applause and cheers from many well-wishers — friends, other officers and hospital staff.
TY Chandler Regional Medical Center for providing 1st class care to our officers@ChandlerPolice pic.twitter.com/nNs323N3uL
— Sean Duggan (@Chief_Duggan) April 29, 2016
A motorcycle escort led Pueblo home.
Police have said 24-year-old Mitchell Oakley was killed after opening fire at the officers.
Chandler Police detective Seth Tyler said the officers had been sent to the store near Arizona Avenue and the Loop 202 about 6:20 a.m. in response to a possible trespasser.
A store employee called police after recognizing Oakley as having been ejected from the store in the past.
“… 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,” Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said after the April 23 shooting.
Both police officers have been with the force less than five years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.