FBI investigating after Tohono O’odham police officer killed

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A Tohono O’odham Nation police officer was killed Thursday while trying to apprehend a suspect on tribal land near the tiny southern Arizona community of Why, authorities said.

Tribal police said officers were responding to reports of a public disturbance by an armed and erratic driver around 9 a.m. near a casino.

During the apprehension, police said Bryan Brown suffered a serious injury and was airlifted to a hospital in Phoenix where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect attempted to flee the scene but was arrested by tribal police with help from U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Authorities said the suspect was in custody and receiving treatment for his injuries.

How Brown died wasn’t immediately released by authorities and neither was the identity of the suspect.

Gov. Doug Ducey ordered all flags at state buildings to be lowered to half-staff Friday in honor of Brown.

Officer Brown was committed to serving others and put his life on the line answering the call of duty. For that, Arizona will be forever grateful. My sincerest condolences go out to Officer Brown’s loved ones as well as the Tohono O'odham Police Department. #RIP https://t.co/4N0UsiGo3q

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) August 28, 2020

The FBI said it was investigating the incident that occurred near the Desert Diamond Casino in Why, located about 120 miles west of Tucson.

The Tohono O’odham reservation stretches from near Tucson to the edge of Why.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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