2 Tempe police officers injured in shooting, suspect pronounced dead

PHOENIX — Two Tempe police officers were injured in a shooting near South Mill Avenue and Baseline Road on Monday.

The officers, both mothers, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals.

One of the officers was recovering at home while the other was still in the hospital in good condition, according to Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell.

Thank you all for the support we have received regarding our 2 police officers shot in the line of duty yesterday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/N9nSUJ3AqQ

— Mayor Mark Mitchell (@AZMayorMitchell) October 30, 2018

Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir said at a press conference that the officers were attempting to serve an order of protection against a domestic abuse suspect at about 3 p.m when the suspect opened fire.

We are working an officer involved shooting in the area of Baseline Rd & Mill Ave. Officer susptained non-life threatening injuries. It is an active scene & we ask that you avoid the area. Media staging location is NWC of Guadalupe & All American Way. pic.twitter.com/M1R6QzBsV4

— Tempe Police (@TempePolice) October 29, 2018

“Our witness heard the officers tell the suspect to show them his hands or take his hands out of his pants or something of that nature,” Tempe Police Sgt. Ronald Elcock told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“They were met with an array of gunfire. The officers backed away from the residence and it appears two officers were hit from the suspect’s gunfire,” he said.

The identities of the officers, who retreated and returned fire, haven’t yet been released.

Both officers were shot in the upper body but were protected by bulletproof vests. One officer was shot three times.

The suspect, whose identity has also not yet been released, was believed to be shot at least once.

He fled on foot and was later found dead. The cause of death is being investigated.

Mill Avenue was closed southbound at Baseline Road, and police told residents to avoid Mill Avenue from Guadalupe to Baseline roads.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The Associated Press and KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ashley Flood contributed to this report.

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