A shooting spree in Arizona has left one dead and a dozen people critically injured. Police officials are investigating many different shooting incidents that occurred over 90 minutes Thursday morning throughout the West Valley, as reported by Sgt. Brandon Sheffert, an official from the Peoria Police Department.
In a press briefing, Sheffert referred to the shooting spree in Arizona as an “extremely complex investigation.” He affirmed that several agencies are involved to trace the shooter, including numerous police departments and the FBI itself.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, teams are in the process of matching shell casings from the crime scene, along with tracing the details of the gun to deduce whether the shooter bought or obtained the weapon. A careful examination of the suspect’s home will also be conducted.
The shooting spree in Arizona had begun with firing on a vehicle. Peoria Police received a call at 11.10 am local time, when they were informed of the shooting, said Sheffert. A white SUV is said to be the car of the shooter and is known to be a part of eight shooting incidents so far. The shooter fired at 13 victims, out of whom four were shot and one ended up succumbing to his wounds.
The victim who passed was found with a gunshot wound in his vehicle on the Loop 101 freeway at Thunderbird Road, said Sheffert. Other injuries sustained by victims are expected to be non-life-threatening. In conversation with ABC News, Three Banner Health hospitals said they had received nine patients from the shooting spree in Arizona.
The Surprise Police Department was successful in its efforts of tracking the suspect’s car after it was spotted by them earlier. According to Sunrise Sgt. Tommy Hale police arrested the male suspect as soon as he pulled over. The SPD’s efficient and streamlined efforts earned a word of praise from Sheffert, who appreciated the department for doing a “great job.”
Additionally, Hale added that he saw the gun in his car, but failed to provide any further details on the matter. The police are still looking to find a motive for the suspect going on a shopping spree in Arizona. The shooting incident cannot be accounted for ‘road rage’ as it rarely ever happens, concluded Hale.
