Suspect hurt in shooting involving Scottsdale officers
Man shot by Scottsdale police, multiple arrested in 3 related crime scenes
Scottsdale police shot a suspect who allegedly reached for a waistband after a shooting at a Circle K. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz learns why investigators believe three crime scenes, including the shooting and a SWAT standoff, are connected to a party. So far, several people are under arrest.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Scottsdale Police say an adult man has been taken to the hospital with critical injuries following an officer-involved shooting that happened during the early morning hours of May 6.
What we know:
Per a statement, officers responded at around 2 a.m. to reports of shots fired at a Circle K near Miller and Camelback roads.
"Responding officers arrived and confirmed that multiple rounds had been fired, with several bullets striking the business," read a portion of the statement.
Suspect hurt in Scottsdale police shooting
A person has been taken to the hospital, following a shooting involving Scottsdale officers near the city's Old Town area. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz has the latest.
Local perspective:
"I had to literally get down on the ground because I was, you know, I heard gunshots," one witness said.
The witness said she had just left the gas station seconds prior when she heard a group yelling, then gunfire.
"There was six rounds that I think I counted. And then there were two rounds shot after that," she said.
At 2:30 a.m., police said additional gunshots were heard at an apartment complex near the area.
"Our officers responded over that and began to investigate that as well," Sgt. Allison Sempsis of the Scottsdale Police Department said.
Neighbors said they saw a SWAT team on scene trying to coax people out of an apartment.
"I think they set off like three different, you know, like the gas bombs or whatever," a witness said.
Dig deeper:
Later, someone called 911 to report multiple individuals jumping the fence and running through her yard.
"They were following him with the light, yelling at him, saying like 'stop, we got you' this, that and the other. And it honestly, it was terrifying," a witness said.
"Responding detectives encountered a male fleeing the area. During the encounter, the suspect reached toward his waistband, at which time the officer-involved shooting occurred," read a portion of the statement. "Following the shooting, the suspect jumped over a fence into a neighboring residential yard, where he was taken into custody, and a handgun was located."
Police said detectives "immediately rendered lifesaving aid." He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. No one else was hurt.
Big picture view:
Scottsdale police believe the three scenes are connected and believe this may have stemmed from a party that was happening.
What we don't know:
The suspect wasn't identified.
What's next:
"Right now we have multiple people under arrest, and we are interviewing witnesses and anybody involved," Sempsis said.
Scottsdale Police say they will conduct an administrative review of the use of force in this incident.
"The involved employee has been placed on temporary Post-Critical Incident Leave and has been offered departmental peer support resources," read a portion of the statement.
Meanwhile, Mesa Police will conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
Map of the area:
The Source: The Scottsdale Police Department