Police officer killed in shooting at Gila River Indian community

INDEPENDENT NEWS MEDIA

A Gila River police officer died Saturday morning while responding to a disturbance at a home in Santan, authorities said.

Joshua Briese, who had been with the department for less than a year and was on a field training exercise, was killed. Another officer was struck by gunfire, as were four people who were at the scene where multiple shots were fired, officials said.

The Gila River Public Safety Operations Center received a 911 call at approximately 2 a.m. on June 1 regarding a disturbance at a home in Santan, District 4, of the Gila River Indian Community.

Officers from the Gila River Police Department responded.

“While officers attempted to break up the disturbance involving a large crowd, multiple shots were fired. Two GRPD officers were struck by gunfire, as were four people at the scene,” the police department said in a Facebook post.

All of the injured were taken to hospitals. Briese died, and the second injured officer remains in serious but stable condition, according to the post.

Another person died and all injured are being treated in nearby hospitals.

“Our hearts and prayers are with these officers, their families and everyone affected by this tragic incident,” the department said on Facebook.

The Gila River Police Department is working with the FBI to conduct a joint investigation into the incident.