PHOENIX: Two people were killed and five injured – including two police officers – when a man armed with a semi-automatic rifle and wearing tactical gear launched a seemingly random attack in Phoenix on Sunday evening before killing himself, the authorities said. authorities.
Phoenix police identified the man on Monday as 24-year-old Isaiah Steven williams. They said he had a single gunshot wound to the head, consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, although the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death.
It was not immediately clear Monday where Williams lived and whether he had a criminal record.
Police said Williams was wearing a ballistic vest with steel plates on the front and back, ballistic helmet, gas mask and knee pads and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle as well as several incendiary devices and several magazines for the rifle.
“Kevlar helmet, tactical vest, high powered rifle – this individual was determined to do harm to our community,” the Phoenix police chief said. jeri williams said Monday.
Police said they received a call about shots being fired in the north-central part of the city around 8.30pm on Sunday.
When officers arrived, a man immediately opened fire on several fully marked patrol SUVs. Four patrol cars were riddled with bullets. One officer was hit by a bullet in the shoulder and a second was hit by shrapnel in several places, including the face.
Police said the shrapnel-wounded officer was able to get out of his car and return fire before other officers came to his aid to remove him from the area for medical treatment. Other officers began evacuating nearby businesses and moving community members to a safe location.
The officer shot in the shoulder was hospitalized in stable condition, police said.
Other officers began evacuating nearby businesses and moving community members to a safe location.
Police said preliminary investigative information, along with surveillance video from nearby businesses, showed the suspect leaving a room at an area motel and beginning random shooting. The man was seen firing his rifle into the motel, then turning the gun on a car that was parked in the parking lot.
A man and a woman inside the car died at the scene from gunshot wounds, according to police who have not yet released the names of the victims.
The suspect was also seen throwing a Molotov cocktail at a restaurant window. It did not ignite. It was around this time that the officers began to arrive and were fired at.
Surveillance video shows the suspect crossing the parking lot and then falling to the ground.
Three bystanders at various locations around the scene of the shooting were injured by flying gunfire, treated in hospitals and released.
The Liquor, Tobacco, Firearms Bureauand Explosives announced they were assisting in the investigation into the shooting.
“Once again, this is another example of gun violence in our community,” Police Chief Jeri Williams said. “How many more officers need to be shot?” How many members of the community still need to be killed before those of our community take a stand? It’s not a Phoenix police problem, it’s a community problem. If not now when?”
Phoenix police identified the man on Monday as 24-year-old Isaiah Steven williams. They said he had a single gunshot wound to the head, consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, although the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death.
It was not immediately clear Monday where Williams lived and whether he had a criminal record.
Police said Williams was wearing a ballistic vest with steel plates on the front and back, ballistic helmet, gas mask and knee pads and was armed with a semi-automatic rifle as well as several incendiary devices and several magazines for the rifle.
“Kevlar helmet, tactical vest, high powered rifle – this individual was determined to do harm to our community,” the Phoenix police chief said. jeri williams said Monday.
Police said they received a call about shots being fired in the north-central part of the city around 8.30pm on Sunday.
When officers arrived, a man immediately opened fire on several fully marked patrol SUVs. Four patrol cars were riddled with bullets. One officer was hit by a bullet in the shoulder and a second was hit by shrapnel in several places, including the face.
Police said the shrapnel-wounded officer was able to get out of his car and return fire before other officers came to his aid to remove him from the area for medical treatment. Other officers began evacuating nearby businesses and moving community members to a safe location.
The officer shot in the shoulder was hospitalized in stable condition, police said.
Other officers began evacuating nearby businesses and moving community members to a safe location.
Police said preliminary investigative information, along with surveillance video from nearby businesses, showed the suspect leaving a room at an area motel and beginning random shooting. The man was seen firing his rifle into the motel, then turning the gun on a car that was parked in the parking lot.
A man and a woman inside the car died at the scene from gunshot wounds, according to police who have not yet released the names of the victims.
The suspect was also seen throwing a Molotov cocktail at a restaurant window. It did not ignite. It was around this time that the officers began to arrive and were fired at.
Surveillance video shows the suspect crossing the parking lot and then falling to the ground.
Three bystanders at various locations around the scene of the shooting were injured by flying gunfire, treated in hospitals and released.
The Liquor, Tobacco, Firearms Bureauand Explosives announced they were assisting in the investigation into the shooting.
“Once again, this is another example of gun violence in our community,” Police Chief Jeri Williams said. “How many more officers need to be shot?” How many members of the community still need to be killed before those of our community take a stand? It’s not a Phoenix police problem, it’s a community problem. If not now when?”
