SPRINGERVILLE-Authorities have identified Brandon Ulibarri, 39, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as the man killed in last week’s officer-involved shooting at the Round Valley Police Department in Springerville.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Major Incident Division is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at the Round Valley Police Department in Springerville.
The incident was first reported by the Town of Springerville, which issued an initial press release stating that an incident had occurred at the police department and that there was no immediate threat to the public. Town officials said Springerville offices, including Town Hall, were closed for the remainder of the day and that additional information would be released as it became available.
In a follow-up statement issued Jan. 15, town officials said the shooting occurred at approximately 12:50 p.m. during an arrest inside the police department. According to the town, a subject began fighting with officers and produced and discharged a firearm during the struggle. A Round Valley Police Department officer returned fire, striking the subject, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials said no law enforcement officers, town staff, or other officials were injured.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety later reported the shooting occurred at approximately 1 p.m. at 418 E. Main Street and said the investigation was initiated at the request of the Round Valley Police Department. DPS confirmed the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene and that no officers were injured.
On Jan. 20, DPS identified the deceased as Brandon Ulibarri, 39, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. DPS said the investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by its Major Incident Division, which was created by state law in 2022 to investigate critical use-of-force incidents involving Arizona law enforcement agencies.
According to a family member of Ulibarri, he has ties to the Round Valley area, has a wife and a child.
