Tempe house fire, deadly shooting: Woman's body found, suspect identified
Details were released about a deadly shooting in Tempe on July 18 where a home was first surrounded by SWAT and then burst into flames.
The U.S. Marshals Service gave more information a week later, naming the deceased suspect and revealing a woman's body was found inside the burned home.
Breakdown of what happened
Matthew Walsh, 35, was wanted by the Chandler Police Department on suspicion of burglary and trafficking stolen property. He was also wanted by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for allegedly violating his probation.
"The U.S. Marshals were asked to assist in the location and apprehension of Walsh as he had an extensive history of violence, fleeing, and using firearms," U.S. Marshals said in a news release on July 22.
Authorities found Walsh at a home near Southern Avenue and McClintock Drive in Tempe on July 18.
Matthew Walsh
"Task Force members surrounded the home and began giving commands to Walsh and other occupants to exit. Initially, four individuals complied and were detained by police before being released. Walsh barricaded himself inside the home, with an unidentified female as Task Force members, in coordination with Chandler Police Department, Tempe Police Department SWAT, and Mesa Police
Department SWAT, worked diligently to negotiate a peaceful surrender," U.S. Marshals said.
Not long after, Walsh reportedly started shooting at officers while still inside the home.
Officers returned fire. Walsh came out of the home with a gun and jumped over a fence and into a neighbor's yard.
"Walsh was armed with a handgun while attempting to flee and was struck by police gunfire before succumbing to a self-inflicted gunshot wound," U.S. Marshals said.
Then, smoke was seen billowing out of the house. Flames ended up destroying it.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but authorities are investigating it as a possible arson.
No members of law enforcement were injured in this incident.
The East Valley Critical Incident Response Team will investigate the officer-involved shooting.
Woman's body found inside home
On July 23, the U.S. Marshals said a woman's body was found inside the burnt home.
"Tempe Police Department, Tempe Fire and Medical Rescue, and Federal partners processed the burned residence for nearly 4 days. During this process, the body of a dead adult female was located," the agency said.
The woman was identified as 37-year-old Teresa Alva.
Authorities didn't say how she died.
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