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Man accused of shooting 2 Phoenix cops, killing 1, charged with murder

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Updated  September 7, 2024 9:40pm MST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 10 Phoenix

Man charged with murdering Phoenix Police Officer

Saul Bal, 41, has been charged with murder after the death of Phoenix Police Officer Zane Coolidge who passed away three days after being shot.

The Brief

    • 41-year-old Saul Bal was charged with murder following the death of Phoenix Police officer Zane Coolidge on Friday night.
    • A judge upheld his $2 million bond.
    • Bal has a checkered criminal history and is accused of shooting two police officers on Tuesday, Sep. 3

PHOENIX - A judge upheld a cash bond of $2 million for Saul Bal, the convicted criminal accused of shooting two Phoenix Police officers and killing five-year veteran Zane Coolidge, 29, while Bal was out on parole.

Bal has been charged with first degree murder, along with multiple other charges. 

Attorneys stated at Bal's initial court appearance that he is an extreme danger to the community.

Police officer shooting suspect has criminal past

After police arrested the man who they say is responsible for shooting and injuring two Phoenix Police officers, we are learning that this is not the suspect's first run-in with the law. FOX 10 Investigator Justin Lum has more on Saul Bal's criminal past.

Phoenix Police officers shot: Cameras capture shooting

The manager at 8 Ball Motorcycle Tires showed FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas surveillance video of two Phoenix Police officers being shot on Tuesday night.

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Outpouring of support for slain Phoenix officer

A massive display of support was seen by Phoenix Police following the death of officer Zane Coolidge who was shot in the line of duty.

They reiterated that sentiment at his appearance on Saturday while they added the charge of murder to his case.

The shooting happened near 15th Street and McDowell Road. According to Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan, the two officers responded to a report of someone breaking into a car.

When they arrived, the suspect ran and jumped a fence. That's when the chief says his officers ran after the suspect, but were quickly met with gunfire.