Phoenix police question suspect after officer is gunned down; mayor offers condolences

Suspect questioned after Phoenix officer is killed

PHOENIX — A Phoenix police officer responding to a call of suspicious activity was shot and killed Wednesday morning, and authorities were questioning a man they had taken into custody, police said.

Police spokesman Sgt. Trent Crump said the unnamed officer died at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Crump said the slain officer and other officers were called to west Phoenix early Wednesday, responding to a report of someone trying to cover, and possibly hide, a Ford Mustang with a tarp in a carport of a home.

As police investigated, shots were fired and the officer was struck. Neighbors said they heard numerous shots. Fellow officers put the wounded officer in a police car and took him to the Phoenix hospital, where he died.

Authorities have released few details about the suspect.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon offered his condolences to the officer’s family. Gordon told KTVK-TV the officer had a wife and two children including a newborn.