PHOENIX — Phoenix police have arrested a suspect after two Phoenix officers were injured during a shooting Sunday.
At about 1 a.m., two officers were riding in their vehicle when someone opened fire on them near 27th and Maryland avenues.
On Monday, Phoenix police officials identified the suspected shooter as 28-year-old Devonte Thornton.
Officials say it started when the officers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle did not stop and drove away until the officers lost sight of it.
A short time later, the officers spotted the same vehicle and attempted to stop it again. When the officers were in the area of 27th and Maryland avenues, someone standing along the road started shooting at the officers.
The passenger officer was struck in the wrist and was taken to a hospital.
On Monday afternoon, authorities confirmed that the officer who was hospitalized from this incident has since been released.
The officer injured in this incident has been released from the hospital and is recovering. The officer and family thanks everyone for their support. https://t.co/uY111sz3ur
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) March 14, 2022
The driving officer was injured by flying glass.
HAPPENING NOW: ‘It appears that officers were shot by someone hiding in the darkness, literally trying to pick our officers off.’ @PhxPDChief
— Christine Stanwood (@stanwoodreports) March 13, 2022
Chief Williams believes an officer was shot Saturday night in an ambush situation.
You can see the blood on the passenger door. | @abc15 pic.twitter.com/xml6w1Cv9M
The driver of the suspected vehicle jumped out and ran away from the scene, police said.
Additional officers arrived at the scene and were able to take the driver into custody for questioning.
Police later identified him as 18-year-old Javon Beasley.
Beasley was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on a felony flight.
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“This is the 7th Phoenix officer shot and 12th injured in the line of duty in the past three months. This kind of violence within our community and toward police officers cannot become the new normal,” said Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams.
Phoenix police along with other law enforcement entities searched for the shooter who Chief Jeri Williams says was hiding in the dark while "trying to pick our officers off."
Everyone is asked to avoid Glendale Avenue to Bethany Home Road, I-17 to 27th Avenue as an investigation is underway.
The shooting comes a day after a Phoenix officer was injured near 75th Avenue and Buckeye Road when a man attempted to steal a police SUV. The man was shot by the officer and later died.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego reacted to Sunday's shooting.
Last night a @PhoenixPolice officer was shot. Intentional acts of violence toward our officers are not acceptable. We are grateful the attack was not more severe. Please join me in supporting those who protect us.
— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) March 13, 2022
Thornton has been booked into the Maricopa County Jail and is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder.
An investigation remains ongoing.
