Peoria police investigating officer-involved shooting; 24-year-old suspect arrested

PEORIA, Ariz. (KSAZ) - A five-car crash ended with a driver on the run, and officers opening fire Wednesday.

According to the Peoria Police Department, the shooting happened near 79th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.

No officers were injured in the shooting.

The incident happened at around 7:30 a.m., and an extensive investigation is underway, with Peoria Police, SWAT, and Glendale Police helping out. The suspect, identified by Peoria Police Wednesday afternoon as 24-year-old Jaime Longoria Valenzuela, was the only one injured.

According to a Peoria Police Department statement released Wednesday afternoon, Valenzuela, who was reportedly driving a pickup truck stolen out of Mesa, was involved in a head-on crash on 83rd Avenue, between West Sweetwater Avenue and Thunderbird Road. One driver in the crash was taken to the hospital, with non-life threatening injuries.

Valenzuela, police said, fled the scene on foot, and was found by officers in the area of 80th Drive and West Wacker Road. As the officer approached Valenzuela, police said he pointed a handgun at the officer, and took off running. Shots were later exchanged, and police said it appears one of the officers' shots hit Valenzuela in the leg.

Police said the incident resulted in Centennial High School being put on lockdown, as a precaution. No students, according to police, were involved, and the incident did not happen on school grounds.

Valenzuela, according to police, is facing multiple charges of aggravated assault, stolen vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident.