A Gila River police officer was killed and another injured after responding to a disturbance at a home early Saturday in Santan, District 4, of the Gila River Indian Community, according to the Gila River Police Department.
Joshua Briese, who had been with the police department for less than a year, and another officer responded to a call for a disturbance involving a large crowd. Multiple shots were fired and both officers were hit, according to a Facebook post from the Gila River Police Department.
Both officers were taken to hospital. Briese died from his injuries, while the other officer, who was not identified, was in serious but stable condition, police said.
Four other people were hit by gunfire. One of them died and the other three were being treated in area hospitals.
“I know I speak for our entire community when I say we mourn our fallen or injured police officers and all community members affected by such tragic violence,” said Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis. Gila River. “Nothing is more serious 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.”
Roberto Jackson, communications director for the Gila River Indian Community, declined to release more details Saturday afternoon, including where the shooting took place.
Authorities, however, closed both lanes of Moffett Road south of State Route 87 on Saturday. There was a heavy police presence nearby, including a mobile command center.
Approximately six law enforcement vehicles were seen near the closure as FBI investigators processed the scene at a residence located about a half-mile south of Moffett Road and SR 87.
Luisa Gomez, a member of the Gila River tribe, woke up to sirens connected to the shooting just a few blocks from her home.
Gomez said the civilians injured and killed in the shooting were related to him and that it happened at a teenager’s birthday party.
“It’s not that dangerous here…” Gomez said. “Usually it’s very nice and quiet.”
District 4 covers approximately 115 square miles and has seen the greatest industrial growth of the seven districts in the Gila River Indian Community.
Saturday evening, Lewis called a special meeting with the Gila River Indian Community Council. Leaders approved a moratorium on all dancing, effective immediately, according to documents posted on the community’s Facebook page.
Anyone organizing or attending a dance in the community could be arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing, documents show. Anyone who organizes a dance party risks losing their host site and anyone who plays music at a party faces a $1,000 fine and risks having their instruments confiscated.
Briese was the son of former Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Officer David Briese, who also died in the line of duty.
David Briese was killed in November 2006 in an automobile accident on Interstate 90 near King Avenue West in Billings, Montana, while responding to a call for help for an officer responding to ‘a combative impaired driver, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office released a statement regarding the death of Joshua Briese:
“YCSO is heartbroken and in disbelief after learning this morning of the line-of-duty death of Gila River, Arizona Police Officer Josh Briese, Joshie as many of us called him,” the statement said. communicated. “All we can say is God, go quickly and rest easy. Knowing that Dave and Josh are together again, they both left this world to serve their community and do what they loved. RIP.”
Maricopa County Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell also released a statement: “The fact that Joshua’s father, David, also gave his life in the line of duty adds to the incalculable debt we owe to their family . I continue to pray for the recovery of the other injured. officer.”
I wanted to make my father proud:‘He was a sweet kid’: Slain Gila River officer overcame odds to follow in father’s footsteps
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
News Source : www.azcentral.com
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