Two officers were wounded and a suspect was killed in what police called an ambush at a Wal-Mart in Chandler Saturday morning, police said.
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Police described Oakley as a transient who had family in the area. It’s not known yet whether the first officer shot back, police said.
Both our officers are in stable condition. One remains in ICU.
“They acted heroically”, said Duggan. Officials tell ABC15 both officers in Saturday’s shooting have less than five years on the force.
The suspected shooter, later identified as Mitchell Oakley, 24, was shot and killed by police in Chandler, the Arizona Republic reported.
Court records show Oakley was arrested several times in Arizona for offenses including attempt to commit aggravated assault on an officer, resisting arrest, and destruction of public jail.
Chandler Battalion Chief Keith Hargis told CBS Phoenix affiliate KPHO-TV three other people were injured but not shot. They were being treated at the scene. “We know we have a job to do and the most important thing is ensuring those officers are OK”.
“As they approached, they were shot multiple times within a matter of seconds”.
“A seemingly routine call turned into a deadly encounter within a split second.”
Police were called around 6.30am regarding a trespasser at the store, said Chandler police spokesman Seth Tyler. He said it was the same person who had been trespassing there in the past.
The officers encountered the unidentified male suspect at the front of the store, just pass the greeters’ area.
The first officer was hit, then the second immediately after, although the second officer was able to return fire, killing the suspect only moments after the shooting began. She said employees then escorted her and other shoppers to the store’s garden center.
She at first thought the sound must be falling pallets, only to realize only moments later that it was gunfire. Tyler said the individual had possibly previously tried to trespass at the same Walmart.
“I didn’t think it was real, honestly”, Ayala said. “I was just really scared as to where they would fall”, Ayala said.
“Myself and the council’s thoughts and prayers are with the two officers and their families”, he said.
At the height of the investigation, more than 30 officers on hand at the Wal-Mart.
A suburban Phoenix town was disrupted by a shooting on Saturday morning.
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