Suspect with gunshot wound arrested in Phoenix after police pursuit, car crash

PHOENIX – A police pursuit early Tuesday ended after the suspect, who had been shot in the chest, crashed his car and it caught fire near South Mountain Park in Phoenix, authorities said.

The suspect, whose name was not yet released, fired at police multiple times during the chase, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Police said there was no indication officers fired back at the man and it wasn’t clear how he’d been shot.

The incident started when a car was seen traveling at high speed on Southern Avenue at 2:30 a.m.

When an officer tried to conduct a traffic stop around 20th Street, the suspect allegedly shot at him and sped off, police said.

More officers joined the chase, and the suspect allegedly fired at his pursuers again near 32nd Street, police said.

The vehicle turned south on 40th Street and then west on Baseline Road, where the pursuit continued until the car crashed, police said.

“While traveling westbound at about Seventh Street and Baseline, the vehicle veered off the road, collided with a fire hydrant and then with another vehicle,” Sgt. Vince Cole said during a press briefing.

There will be traffic restrictions for the next few hours between 12th Street and 7th Street on Baseline Road. pic.twitter.com/a6NyprZJsv

— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) January 25, 2022

Police said the car caught fire and the driver got out. When officers were taking him into custody they noticed a gunshot wound to his chest.

“What we’re trying to find through our investigations is if that round occurred somewhere else or it was possibly self-inflicted,” Cole said.

The suspect was taken to a hospital with injuries that aren’t considered life-threatening. Nobody else was hurt during the incident.

The investigation was ongoing at multiple sites. Police said to expect restrictions on Baseline between 12th and Seventh streets for several hours.

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