1 in custody after collision with Tempe police patrol car, shot by police

TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) – One person is in custody after an attempted traffic stop overnight in Tempe resulted in a shooting involving an officer.

According to Tempe Police Sergeant Ryan Cook, officers were attempting to stop a car that was speeding and driving erratically on the Mill Avenue Bridge. He said when officers got out to approach the car, the driver backed up and crashed into a patrol car.

Three officers responded with gunfire, hitting the suspect, he said.

Sergeant Cook said the suspect got back into his car and fled the scene. Officers were able to locate him a short time later and he is now in hospital custody with non-life threatening injuries.

Police said it was not known whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or if there were weapons in the vehicle.

No officers were injured in the accident or the shooting.

When the check occurred, Tempe police were on duty as part of “Operation Street Sweep” to crack down on drag racing.

Sergeant Cook said this is the first officer-involved shooting in Tempe this year. It is the 30th shooting in Maricopa County this year and the 51st in Arizona.

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