SANTAN, AZ — One Gila River police officer is dead and another is injured, along with four other people, after a shooting broke out early Saturday morning in the Gila River Indian Community.
Gila River Police say around 2 a.m. they were called to a home in the Santan area for a reported disturbance.
As officers worked to resolve the issue, which involved a large crowd, someone fired several shots.
In total, two Gila River officers were injured along with four other people at the scene.
All six people were transported to local hospitals with various injuries.
One of the officers, identified by authorities as Joshua Briese, later died from his injuries.
The department says Officer Briese had been on the force for less than a year and was still undergoing field training.
The second injured police officer is said to be in serious but stable condition.
Police say at least one of the four other people shot also died. Specific conditions regarding the other injured were not immediately available.
It is unclear whether the individual(s) who fired the shots are still at large.
No suspicious information has been released.
Gila River police and the FBI are investigating the shooting.
Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis released this statement Saturday morning:
“Early this morning, I learned that there had been a serious shooting in the community with multiple gunshot victims, including two Gila River Police Department officers and up to four community members at the scene, while the facts are the subject of an investigation by the FBI and the GRPD. , I am told that one of our officers – Officer Joshua Briese – died in the line of duty from his injuries. Our second officer remains in serious but stable condition following surgery.
At least one community member has also died. All injured are being treated in local hospitals.
We are working in close coordination with law enforcement to ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of what happened here.
I know I speak for our entire community when I say we mourn our fallen and injured police officers and all community members affected by such tragic violence. Nothing is more profound than a life cut short. We will pray for our officers and their families, as well as for every community member, loved one and family affected by what happened this morning.
While we await further facts, we will focus on finding a path to healing following this tragic incident.
This is a developing story. We are working to get the latest information. Stay with abc15.com for updates.
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