Early this morning around midnight YCSO deputies and criminal investigators, along with Coconino Sheriff’s Office and DPS, responded to the scene of a shooting in Ash Fork off Cooks Trail. The 911 call said two people had been shot and the “guy with the gun” allegedly said he would not put the gun down when law enforcement showed up.
Law enforcement responded in force with over 15 officers. The YCSO SWAT was also called in for the safety of all involved. However, deputies discovered that two victims appeared to have life threatening gunshot wounds necessitating immediate medical attention. They made the courageous decision to help the victims prior to SWAT’s arrival.
One male who was uninjured surrendered without incident, while a YCSO deputy attended to the multiple leg wounds of one male and DPS and Coconino deputies attended to another male with head wounds. The seriousness of the injuries, and the probability that an ambulance would have difficulty getting to the area of the incident, prompted YCSO deputies to take the victims in their own vehicles to EMS. The victims were then flown to area hospitals. Both gunshot victims are undergoing surgery and their status is unknown.
After a search of the scene law enforcement found multiple weapons, numerous shell casings and a blood trail leading to a nearby home. Deputies searched the area checking for additional victims, of which none were found.
YCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau Lieutenant Michael Dannison stated “Law enforcement did a fantastic job getting the wounded individuals out and safely securing the scenes for the investigators. The deputies were courageous and did the right thing for the victims.”
YCSO is currently investigating the crime and interviewing multiple suspects.
