SANTAN, Arizona — A Gila River police officer died early Saturday morning after responding to a disturbance call at a home in Santan, authorities said. A "bystander" was also killed in the shooting, said the FBI, which is leading the investigation into the incident.
The police officer was identified as Officer Joshua Briese. Briese had been with the department for less than a year and was still on Field Training, the FBI said in a news release.
"Our hearts and prayers are with these police officers, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragic incident," the FBI said.
On Sunday, the FBI said two suspects, an adult and a juvenile, had been taken into custody in connection to the shooting on Saturday. The two "are receiving medical care from injuries they received in yesterday's shooting." Their identities were not immediately released.
12News spoke with a person who said they were at the dance at the time of the shooting. We are not naming them because they are afraid.
"It was scary," the person said. “I was scared when I heard the gunshots, we all dropped to the ground."
Video shared with 12News showed the chaotic scene unfolding, including the sounds of tasers activating and gunshots.
"It happened so quick," the person said.
Previous reporting
A Gila River police officer was killed in an early morning shooting on Saturday in Santan, authorities said.
The Gila River Public Safety Dispatch received an emergency call for service regarding a disturbance at a home in Santan, which is District 4 of the Gila River Indian Community.
Officers were working to address the disturbance, which involved a large crowd at the home, when multiple gunshots were fired. Two officers were hit by gunfire, as well as four additional individuals at the scene, police said.
The injured officers and individuals were taken to the hospital, police said. One of the officers is in serious but stable condition, one individual is dead, and one of the police officers also died, police said.
In the evening on June 1, Governor Stephen Roe Lewis called a special meeting of the Gila River Indian Community Council for a moratorium on all dances within the community. According to documents posted on the council's Facebook page, the shooting occurred at a dance.
Lewis said in a news release his office is working closely with law enforcement to make sure they have a "comprehensive understanding" of what happened during the incident.
The Gila River Police Department is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct a joint investigation of the incident, according to police.
Arizona, national officials honor officer shot and killed
The officer who died has been identified as Joshua Briese, who had been with the department for less than a year and was still in field training.
"Our hearts and prayers are with these police officers, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragic incident," the Gila River Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Briese is the son of Yellowstone County Deputy Dave Briese, who also died in the line of duty. Dave Briese died on November 3, 2006 in a car crash, according to a Facebook post from the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.
"All we can say is God Speed and rest easy," the post reads. "Knowing Dave & Josh are together again, both left this world serving their community and doing what they loved."
According to a post from Arizona Trooper’s FOP Lodge 32, the other officer who was shot was Briese's field training officer. The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police Lodge sent 12News the following statement.
“The Members of Arizona Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 32, which represents Arizona State Troopers, is deeply saddened to hear our brother Officer, Joshua Briese, was shot and killed early this morning. Officer Briese was still in his first year as a Police Officer and had not even completed field training. His tragic death is a stark reminder to all Arizona law enforcement of the inherent and ever-increasing dangers in this noble profession. '
Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, and Arizona State Troopers work tirelessly to provide professional public safety to our communities. It's troubling to hear of yet another gruesome and felonious attack on law enforcement and the rule of law. We're confident the offenders who caused this horrendous tragedy will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with Officer Joshua Briese's family and with all our brothers and sisters with the Gila River Police Department. They have our unwavering support during this dark time."
"I know I speak for our entire Community when I say that we grieve for our fallen and injured police officers and every Community member touched by such tragic violence. Nothing cuts deeper than a life cut short," Lewis said in a news release. "We will pray for our officers and their families, and for every Community member, every loved one, and every family impacted by what happened this morning. As we await further facts, our focus will be on finding a path to healing from this tragic incident."
Maricopa County Attorney, Rachel Mitchell, also issued a statement following Briese's death.
"Words fail to adequately express the outrage we all feel at the news of this senseless tragedy. My prayers go out to the officer's family and friends, his extended family at the Gila River Police Department, and the Gila River Indian Community," Mitchell said in a statement. "The fact that Joshua's father, David, also gave his life in the line of duty adds to the incalculable debt we owe to their family. I continue to pray for the recovery of the other injured officer."
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