Man arrested after allegedly shooting at Buckeye police officer

PHOENIX — A man was arrested after shooting at a Buckeye police officer on Thursday morning, authorities said.

Juan Daniel Ortega, 22, will be booked on two counts of aggravated assault, the Buckeye Police Department said in a press release.

The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when officers responded to a report of a man who allegedly pointed a gun at a passing car while walking on Palo Verde Road near Southern Avenue, authorities said.

Ortega allegedly fired at an officer who told him to stop, Buckeye Police said.

The officer fired back and a short time later Ortega was arrested and the weapon was recovered, authorities said.

Neither Ortega nor the officer were injured in the shooting, but Ortega was taken to the hospital as a precaution, Buckeye Police said.

An investigation into the incident was underway and the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave as per standard protocol, authorities said.

It was the first shooting of the year by the Buckeye Police Department and 26th overall by law enforcement in the Valley, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM research.

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