Dangerous weekend after three shootings involving officers across Arizona

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — Completely different legislation enforcement companies are investigating three separate officer-involved shootings over the weekend. The newest was in Maricopa on Sunday night. On Sunday night time, investigators say Maricopa police exchanged gunfire with 50-year-old Michael Zapata after a pursuit close to Porter Street and the Maricopa-Casa Grande Freeway.

Round 6 p.m., Maricopa police obtained a name about an aggravated assault within the Homestead neighborhood. Shortly after police arrived, a pursuit started between Zapata and officers. Zapata then crashed into one other automotive close to Porter Street and Maricopa Casa Grande Freeway.

After the crash, investigators say Zapata started capturing at officers, who returned hearth. Zapata was not shot and had minor accidents, and was taken to the hospital. Sgt. Hal Koozer stated at the very least one harmless particular person was hospitalized within the preliminary crash. “Throughout that point gunshot was exchanged,” he stated. “The suspect is on the hospital proper now and no officers had been harm within the state of affairs; thank goodness,” he stated on Sunday night time.

Zapata was launched from the hospital on Monday and booked into jail. Officers haven’t stated what expenses he faces. No officers had been harm.

In Arizona Metropolis, Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputies shot a person carrying a knife who they are saying was intoxicated. Police say the person was wandering via a neighborhood close to Overfield Street and Pineveta Drive. Deputies arrived, and that’s when the capturing occurred. The person was taken to the hospital, and no officers had been harm. PCSO says they’re nonetheless investigating, and it’s unknown what led as much as the capturing. The suspect’s identify has not been launched.

In Waddell, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Workplace says an armed man was taken to the hospital after a home violence name led to a capturing on Saturday night time. Round 7:30 p.m., deputies had been known as to a house close to Perryville Street and Olive Avenue. Once they arrived, they realized {that a} man with a gun was threatening individuals inside. Deputies arrange a fringe and informed the suspect to depart the home, however he didn’t comply. In some unspecified time in the future, he got here out of the storage whereas armed and threatened deputies.

After refusing to comply with instructions, deputies and the suspect exchanged gunfire, and the person went again inside the house. SWAT groups went inside the home and took the suspect into custody. Deputies say the suspect was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot damage. Investigators are nonetheless working to find out if deputies shot him or if he shot himself. His identify has not been launched. No officers or bystanders had been harm.