COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — Jeffery Thomas was behaving unusually Wednesday night. He was charging toward vehicles that passed him by near East Birch and South 15th streets, police said. He was carrying what appeared to be a flagpole.
When officers got there, Thomas was attempting to hide in a bush. But when he saw Cottonwood police officer Matt Strickland, he ran back toward his house. Strickland and other officers followed him. They heard Thomas say the officers were there to "kill" him.
Thomas brought out the "flagpole," which turned out to be a shotgun wrapped in a makeshift flag. He fired. Strickland was hit in the arm. He and the other officers took cover and returned fire. Thomas retreated to his house.
The Verde Valley SWAT team arrived and, an hour later, Thomas surrendered to police.
Based on his comments to investigators and other officers, police believe he intended to ambush the officers who responded to the call about him charging at vehicles.
Police had been involved with Thomas earlier in the day after receiving calls that Thomas was threatening to harm other people and hearing from neighbors that his "erratic" behavior had increased in recent weeks.
Thomas, 57, is currently being held on a $500,000 bond at the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde. He is charged with second-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm and endangerment.
