HOLBROOK, Ariz. — Wednesday afternoon, after a high-speed pursuit and shootout with law enforcement that spanned several miles and ended off Bucket of Blood Street near U.S. 180, south of Interstate 40 in Holbrook, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to authorities.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the pursuit began around 10:00 a.m. when a DPS sergeant attempted to stop a vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 40.
The chase continued off the interstate and into rural terrain near Adamana.
At that point, the suspect opened fire on law enforcement officers, according to DPS media specialist Bart Graves.
At approximately 10:49 a.m., Joshua and Christy Dean, who live on rural property near the interstate in Adamana, said they encountered the suspect as his vehicle entered their property. The couple said their dogs began barking, prompting Christy to look out the window. She noticed DPS patrol vehicles driving westbound down their driveway in pursuit of the suspect.
The Deans said they went outside to their driveway, where the suspect stopped and briefly spoke to Christy.
“He asked, ‘Are you the people that are going to help me today?’” Christy recalled. “I told him he was on private property and needed him to leave.”
Christy explained she noticed a black dog sitting in the front seat. “The dog was so sweet, didn’t bark, and was wagging his tail,” said Christy.
The suspect reportedly replied, “Yes ma’am,” before driving away through their property and exiting on the west side.
The Deans said they watched law enforcement chase the suspect’s vehicle as it sped off their land and continued through nearby terrain.
The video taken by the Deans shows the chase on their property in Adamana, along with a description of the suspect’s vehicle. DPS, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, and Apache County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the chase. Video Credit: Joshua and Christy Dean.
They said the suspect tore down multiple fences and a gate, causing extensive damage estimated at thousands of dollars.
The high-speed chase ended on Bucket of Blood Street in Holbrook, near U.S. 180.
By early afternoon, radio transmissions captured intense exchanges between responding units. Deputies were heard stating, “Shots fired,” while dispatch advised, “Do not engage without armor.”
At 1:13 p.m., dispatch reported that the Special Response Team (SRT) from Holbrook was en route, with multiple units responding code 3 (lights and sirens). By 1:20 p.m., armor was being transported from Holbrook to the scene.
At 1:22 p.m., deputies established a command post off Bucket of Blood Street in Holbrook. Minutes later, at 1:29 p.m., radio traffic confirmed that the suspect’s vehicle had been rammed by an armored law enforcement vehicle.
By 1:46 p.m., DPS had taken over command of the scene—the suspect was described on radio transmissions as a Black male wearing shorts, and a canine was possibly in the vehicle. (The description of the suspect has not been confirmed).
By 2:21 p.m., radio traffic relayed that the suspect was deceased and the canine was injured.
According to DPS media specialist Bart Graves, at approximately 1:46 p.m., the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured in the incident.
The DPS Major Incident Division is leading the investigation, stated DPS media specialist Bart Graves.
Officials said the information remains preliminary and that no further details are being released at this time.
After the encounter, the Deans became concerned for the dog in the suspect’s vehicle. They contacted Holbrook Animal Control to inquire about adopting the dog and helping with some of the medical care.
At this hour, there have been no updates on the canine in the vehicle.
We are thankful that no law enforcement officers or innocent civilians were injured in this situation.
This is breaking news and will be updated as we get more information.
