Suspect charged in Phoenix officer’s shooting

PHOENIX — Authorities have charged a man in the shooting of a Phoenix police officer during a routine traffic stop.

Police said 26-year-old Michael James Rogers was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of two counts of aggravated assault and one count of unlawful flight. A 40-year-old officer was shot multiple times but was expected to survive.

Three people had been detained in the investigation of the 3 a.m. shooting that happened between Camelback and Indian School roads near 12th Street.

Police documents said Rogers told the two passengers in the car that he had warrants out for this arrest and would not go back to jail as he was being pulled over. He allegedly fired at least three shots as soon as the officer approached the vehicle before speeding off.

Phoenix police and investigators found what they believed to be the car the suspects were driving about 10 hours later at a home near 12th Street and Indian School Road.

“We have located them, some of them still in the area and detained them,” Phoenix Sgt. John Howard said. “They are being transferred down to the police station now for more in-depth interviews. We are confident that we have the right people.”

“The officer is at the hospital, thank goodness he’s going to be fine,” Phoenix Police chief Joseph Yahner said. “Thank goodness he was wearing his vest.”

The officer was hit in the chest, hip and arm. His bicep was “shattered,” police documents said.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a Blue Alert, which was canceled within an hour after the suspect’s car was found close to the are of the shooting.  

Excellent work by #Phx PD arresting the suspects from shooting this AM. Our officer is out of surgery and we pray for a full recovery.

— Greg Stanton (@MayorStanton) September 16, 2015

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