Tempe investigation ends in deadly shooting, home destroyed by flames
TEMPE, Ariz. - While attempting to take a fugitive into custody on Thursday afternoon, a deadly shooting broke out and a Tempe home erupted in flames.
The July 18 incident began in a neighborhood near Southern Avenue and McClintock Drive.
In SkyFOX video, smoke was seen coming out from the inside of a home that was surrounded by several law enforcement agencies. Firefighters were at the home battling the fire.
The smoke started light and white, but turned dark and thick within minutes. There was also a hostage negotiation team at the scene.
Hours after the fire was put out, the U.S. Marshals Service released information saying the incident ended deadly.
"Members of the task force were attempting to apprehend a fugitive wanted by the Chandler Police Department on warrants for burglary, trafficking in stolen property, and felony flight. The subject also had an active probation violation warrant from Maricopa County," the news release said.
The East Valley Critical Incident Response Team will investigate the shooting.
The person who was killed was identified on July 22 as Matthew Walsh, 35.
Neighbor's video shows apparent shooting
Ring Doorbell footage from a neighbor, Dr. Brendan P. O'Connor, shows armed members of law enforcement engaging in some type of altercation before taking shelter behind cars.
Pat Kader has lived in the neighborhood for 46 years and said this type of situation is very unusual for the area.
"Very tumultuous and hectic and scary," she said.
Kader said she stayed put in her home after hearing shots that may have been fired down the block.
"We were on notice that that’s why all these police cars were pitching up in our neighborhood and then SWAT teams came and then crime tape went up and so we knew something serious was going on," she said.
The flames added even more concern for nearby residents.
"You just worry for the neighborhood," she said. "Fires jump and leap."
As for the person or people who lived in the home, she says, "I don’t know the people who live in that house. I drive by it, but I know nothing about who lives there, who was there, or anything else."