ARIZONA NEWS
One Phoenix police officer killed, two injured in shooting
PHOENIX — One police officer was killed and two were injured in a Phoenix shooting on Sunday night, the police department announced.
Commander Greg Carnicle was shot and killed in a domestic violence call in a neighborhood near 40th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road.
Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said she knew Carnicle for 30 years.
“Tonight, we lost a true hero,” Williams said. “I knew him for 30 years. He and I worked together in Maryvale precinct and used to enjoy way too much Church’s Chicken on duty. To be able to stand here today and say that one of my good friends is lost is troubling.”
The two other officers, Marissa Dowhan and Alicia Hubert, were taken to HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar.
They are in stable condition and expected to recover.
Additional police arrived to the scene to try to arrest the suspect, 22-year-old Jacob Emry Mcilveen, including Phoenix’s special assignment unit.
The special assignment unit forced entry into the house around 10:50 p.m., according to Vetnar. The suspect was believed to have been on the second floor and shot Carnicle from the staircase.
Just before 11:20 p.m., Mcilveen was hit with a gunshot outside the house and killed, according to Vetnar. Authorities confirmed the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene early Monday morning.
The initial police call was made about roommates in an argument, Phoenix police spokeswoman Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said. When police arrived, the suspect was not cooperative. He shot at the officers around 5 p.m.
The Phoenix Police Department posted to Facebook that Carnicle was a 31-year veteran of the force and just months away from retirement.
He had a wife and four adult children, Fortune said.
Critical Incident Update: It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a Phoenix Police Department Commander….
Posted by Phoenix Police Department on Sunday, March 29, 2020
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego tweeted support for the injured police officers and their families.
We’ve received notice that three @PhoenixPolice officers were injured in a shooting this evening. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of these officers and the entire Phoenix Police Department. Please keep these individuals in your thoughts.
— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) March 30, 2020
The Arizona Department of Public Safety offered similar thoughts and prayers in a tweet for those affected by the situation.
💙Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the @PhoenixPolice officers injured tonight, their families and comrades. We stand with you.💙
— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) March 30, 2020
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey quote-tweeted the Phoenix Police tweet and offered his own prayers.
Our deepest condolences go out to Commander Carnicle’s family and loved ones over this heartbreaking loss. Our prayers are with them during this difficult time. We also pray for his fellow officers and their recovery. #RIP @PhoenixPolice https://t.co/oj8bCr7gvi
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 30, 2020
DPS director Col. Frank Milstead tweeted out about how he got to know Carnicle upon hearing of his passing.
I am sadden by the death of my friend @PhoenixPolice Commander Greg Carnicle. We served together in the Traffic Bureau and Tactical Support Bureau, while I was working at Phoenix PD. He was 30+ year veteran of the PPD. Via Con Dios.
— Col. Frank Milstead (@frank_milstead) March 30, 2020
No other information is available as the investigation is underway.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.
