A suspect in a bank robbery led police on a chase through Tucson, stealing a police auto and carjacking a civilian before he was fatally shot near the University of Arizona, authorities said Thursday.
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According to the Arizona Department of Correction’s website, Rael was convicted on two robbery charges in 2002.
The incidents ended in midtown Tucson near the University of Arizona campus with the suspect being mortally wounded during his second shootout with officers.
He fired on an officer with a shotgun, was shot and wounded by that officer, then tried to escape by stealing the officer’s squad vehicle, police say. He was released from prison in 2014. He tried to steal another patrol auto but was blocked by vehicles driven by arriving officers.
As the officers took cover, the man stole a police vehicle and drove off, police said. The suspect drove about 3 miles before he stopped, abandoned the patrol vehicle and carjacked a man, striking him with the auto while fleeing, authorities said.
Marana police identified the two officers who exchanged gunfire with Rael as Officer Abel Samano, a 10-year veteran, and Officer Gabriel Tapia, a five-year member of the force.
Police were finally able to stop the suspect just south of the university.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the shooting involving the Marana Police Department.
“Officers approached the vehicle and took the suspect into custody”, the TPD said. Police also released photos of the shotgun used to fire shots at Keena.
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The TPD, MPD, DPS and UA Police Department were all involved in the ordeal.
