Apache Junction barricade situation ends with one dead, another arrested

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - A barricade situation in Apache Junction turned deadly on Sunday.

Just before 1:20 p.m. on Sept. 24, Apache Junction Police officers responded to reports of someone being shot in the head near 4th Avenue and Ironwood Road.

Officers "secured the scene and found one victim who had been fatally shot. Officers safely evacuated nearby residents, established a perimeter, and contained the 73-year-old suspect within his home."

After trying to get the suspect to come out several times, he reportedly shot off two rounds before surrendering. He was then arrested.

"We have confirmed one fatality on scene. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their loved ones," police said. The victim hasn't been identified.

Investigators believe the incident stemmed from a dispute between neighbors.

Neighbors say this was a bit of a shock in the otherwise uneventful 55-plus community.

"Once we were able to get inside, we were able to evacuate everyone safely, which we did. That’s part of our protocol, especially in this kind of dwelling with close proximity to others, so we wanted to make sure this was contained immediately," Apache Junction Police Sgt. Thomas Parker said.

Investigators say it does appear that this dispute may have been part of an ongoing problem.

"It’s relatively quiet, I mean most of the action happens on that end, and it’s not even loud or anything. I mean I go down, take out my recycling down there. It’s quiet down there, and quiet on this end," said neighbor Jaymz Robertson.

Map of where the shooting happened: