PD: Woman in stolen car ramming Tempe Police vehicles shot by officers, and it's not the first time
TEMPE, Ariz. - Police say a stolen vehicle investigation out of Phoenix escalated into an officer-involved shooting late Sunday night at a Tempe apartment complex.
According to Tempe Police, officers responded to Baseline Road and Priest Drive just before 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 for reports of a stolen vehicle. Once at the scene, officers found the stolen car and pulled over the driver, who ran from the vehicle.
Police say a 33-year-old female passenger initially cooperated with officers before getting into the driver's seat, reversing and ramming police vehicles. Officers then shot her with non-lethal rounds as she continued ramming into their cars.
The woman was identified on Nov. 8 as Kristina Duranceau.
Kristina Duranceau
Finally, an officer who said they feared for their safety and the others as well, shot Duranceau. She reportedly continued driving and hit a neighbor's car and a wall.
Her car got stuck and police continued to demand she stop, but she didn't listen. Officers were able to form a blockage using their cars to block her, and she was taken into custody, as well as given first aid.
Duranceau was struck by bullets several times and was taken to the hospital.
The suspect was eventually released from the hospital on Nov. 5 and now faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault, criminal damage, unlawful use of transportation, endangerment and drug possession.
The original driver, a man, who ran from police during the traffic stop remains on the loose. However, on Oct. 18, police say an investigative lead has been identified.
A third person who was inside the vehicle was unharmed and detained at the scene but released.
No officers were hurt. A sergeant and officer were placed on administrative leave, per department protocol.
"This incident was a dynamic, rapidly evolving fluid event in which [the suspect] made it clear she was going to make every attempt to evade arrest, disregarding the safety of the officers and the community," police said at an Oct. 18 news conference.
The woman who was shot, police say she was involved in a similar incident at the beginning of October in Gilbert for allegedly driving a stolen car.
"During that incident, she was reported to have rammed several Gilbert Police vehicles," police said. Tempe PD didn't elaborate further on that incident.