1 adult, 1 undocumented minor arrested after deputies ambushed in northern Arizona

PHOENIX — Two suspects have been arrested after an alleged ambush on deputies and police officers over the weekend, authorities announced Wednesday.

One of the suspects is 21-year-old Alex Heredia-Rivera, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO).

The other suspect, a 17-year-old male, is in the country illegally and under a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer, according to YCSO. Also known as an ICE hold, this notice is sent to law enforcement agencies when ICE identifies someone in custody who may be removable from the U.S.

The two are accused of carrying out an ambush shooting targeting YCSO deputies and Prescott Valley Police Department (PVPD) officers early Sunday morning, YCSO said.

On Tuesday, both individuals were arrested after YCSO and PVPD SWAT teams served search warrants.

Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes said this case reflects the danger first responders face every day.

“I greatly appreciate the men and women of YCSO and the PVPD for their vigilance in getting the violent criminals and criminal aliens off of our streets, keeping the citizens of Yavapai County safe,” Rhodes said in a Wednesday announcement.

Alleged ambush shooting led to arrest of adult, undocumented minor

The alleged ambush took place while deputies were assisting PVPD near Carla Vista Drive came under fire from a truck whose occupants were using a green laser, YCSO said. One round came dangerously close to a deputy and struck a YCSO vehicle.

Deputies quickly located the suspect vehicle, a black 2021 Chevy Silverado, and detained its occupants.

Detectives from YCSO and PVPD, with assistance from the ATF, later confirmed that firearms seized from the truck were linked to a Nov. 15 drive-by shooting, as well as other crimes across Arizona, YCSO said.

Both Heredia-Rivera and the 17-year-old face multiple felony charges, including:

• Aggravated assault on law enforcement.
• Discharging a firearm at a structure.
• Weapons misconduct.

“We must remain unwavering in the commitment to public safety,” Rhodes said.

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