Suspect who exchanged gunfire with DPS in Phoenix indicted on 25 charges

PHOENIX — The suspect in a shootout that injured four Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers earlier this month has been indicted on 25 charges, authorities said.

Darrelle Lazane Bell, 51, is charged with 21 counts of aggravated assault, one count of unlawful discharge of a firearm and three counts of misconduct involving weapons, according to Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.

“On Feb. 5, the DPS SWAT team went to serve an arrest warrant on Bell when he opened fire as they moved in,” Mitchell said in a Feb. 19 press conference. “A DPS trooper was shot and three others were hurt by shrapnel.”

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. near Interstate 17 and Indian School Road, according to DPS.

Details about shootout that wounded four DPS troopers in Phoenix

Sgt. Cameron Lee from the DPS Public Affairs unit provided additional details about Bell’s alleged crimes during a Feb. 6 DPS press conference.

He told reporters that Bell had a grand jury warrant for weapons misconduct and drug possession.

“It’s important to note this (was) a high-risk search warrant because of the extensive criminal history of this suspect,” Lee said. “As our troopers and our SWAT entered the entrance to the residence, there were two females that saw them come. They ran back to the residence and warned the suspect that they were coming.”

According to Lee, Bell opened fire almost immediately. He said a sergeant was struck by one round in his right shoulder and also suffered a left biceps injury during the shootout. That sergeant, whose name has not been released, has 21 years of service with DPS.

“All four of our wounded troopers were treated and are home resting,” Lee said.

Bell was initially hospitalized, then released and booked into jail.

This was one day after a fatal shooting involving DPS in Flagstaff

The incident occurred one day after two members of a DPS safety helicopter crew were killed in a crash while responding to assist the Flagstaff Police Department with a domestic violence call that progressed into an active shooting.

Funeral services for Bruce Skankey, a pilot, and Hunter R. Bennett, a trooper paramedic, have been set for Friday, Feb. 20, and Monday, Feb. 23, respectively.

Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered for flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday and Monday to honor their sacrifice.

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