COCONINO COUNTY- A man is suspected of shooting at vehicles on Wednesday night as they drove near Hwy 99, west of Winslow, AZ, has died, according to the Navajo Police Department.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Press Release:
On March 20, at approximately 1842 hours Deputies and AZDPS Troopers were called to the area of Hwy 99 near milepost 58 for a report of a man shooting near the highway and possibly shooting at cars as they drove by. This is in the area known as Turquoise Ranches west of Winslow, AZ.
Upon arrival DPS Troopers located a male subject who immediately ran west from the roadway. They were unable to locate the subject after that. Due to the nature of the call, Deputies called the Northern Arizona Regional SWAT Team to assist in attempting to locate the subject. Deputies and Troopers also called the DPS Ranger helicopter to attempt to locate anyone in the area.
After several hours of searching for the subject, Deputies and Troopers were unable to locate anyone in the area. A RAVE emergency message was sent to residents in the area warning them of the situation.
The subject is described as a Native American Male in his late 20’s, 5’07” approximately 140 lbs., wearing all black. If you have any information regarding this incident, call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523. This incident remains under investigation.
LEUPP, Ariz. – Last night, at approximately 7:39 p.m., there was an active shooter threat reported to the Navajo Police Department Dilkon District. It was reported an active shooter was in the community of Leupp, Ariz., and located on State Route 99 and MP 58. The individual was described as wearing all black and was reportedly shooting at vehicles passing by.
Dilkon District and the NPD SWAT Unit responded and attempted to locate the individual on the Navajo Nation side of their jurisdiction, which begins around at Milepost 61.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Coconino County Sheriffs Office’s SWAT Unit and K-9 Unit also responded to the area.
The main person of interest, regarding the active shooter threat, was in a altercation with family this morning, which resulted in a gunshot wound to the suspect. This individual succumbed to the injury and later died in the hospital.
The NPD would like to advise the community of Leupp, that the area is secure and there is currently no threats at this time.
“We appreciate the community’s proactiveness in staying alert and reporting this dangerous individual. We cannot stress this enough: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING and report it to your local NPD District,” NPD wrote on Facebook.
SUBJECT UPDATE FROM COCONINO SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Deputies Investigate Man Shooting Near Hwy 99 in Turquoise Ranches:
Flagstaff, AZ – UPDATE: We have been notified by the Navajo Police Department that the suspect responsible for this incident has been apprehended. We are no longer looking for a suspect in this incident.
“We wish to thank the community in the area as well as our partners who assisted in our response,” said the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
Jon Paxon with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said, “The investigation is with the Navajo Police Department and with the FBI.”
This story will be updated as more information comes in.