Suspect hospitalized following officer-involved shooting on I-10
QUARTZSITE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Authorities say a suspect has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, following an officer-involved shooting along Interstate 10 west of Phoenix.
Officials with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) said the shooting happened along I-10 early Tuesday morning when troopers were attempting to locate 36-year-old Sladjan Petkovic, who was a suspect in a non-related shooting in Phoenix.
During their investigation, troopers found a tractor-trailer driver who told them he had been fired upon along I-10 near milepost 61. DPS says the driver suffered shrapnel-related injuries due to the shooting.
Troopers later found Petkovic outside of his vehicle near a rest stop along I-10, who opened fire at authorities. Authorities returned fire, and Petkovic was wounded during the exchange, however, it is unclear if Petkovic's wound was self-inflicted or the result of gunfire from law enforcement.
The suspect was airlifted to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.. No officers were injured in the shooting.
Phoenix police say Petkovic is a suspect in the deadly shooting of 45-year-old Steven Arvallo.
According to a statement released by DPS Tuesday afternoon, detectives are investigating to determine whether the wound was self-inflicted, or a result of return fire from law enforcement.
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The Arizona Department of Transportation says westbound I-10 has reopened at Salome Road.
This is a breaking story. Stay with FOX 10 Phoenix for updates.