SANTAN, Arizona — The second victim in a shooting that killed a tribal police officer has been identified as Alicen Apkaw, 23, a "beloved daughter and sister, a loyal friend and co-worker," Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis said.
"The past three days have been among the most emotionally trying times we have experienced as a Community. As we grieve the loss of Officer Joshua Briese, our Community also mourns the horrific loss of Alicen Apkaw, 23, who succumbed to injuries from gunfire," a statement from Lewis said. "My condolences and prayers go out to Alicen’s family, her many friends, and to everyone whose life she touched."
Apkaw worked for the community's San Tan Casino. Her work family "also is taking her loss very hard," Lewis said.
"(She was) fast to laugh, hard-working, joyous and supportive. To lose a young woman like Alicen, in the prime of her life, is a loss I can only describe as devastating," Lewis said.
The Gila River Public Safety Dispatch received an emergency call for service regarding a disturbance at a home in Santan in the early morning hours of June 1, 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.
Officer Joshua Briese died in the shooting. Briese had been with the department for less than a year and was still in Field Training, the FBI said in a news release.
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.
"Our Community government has come together to begin to craft a path forward and has already taken steps to protect public safety here on Community land. In the meantime, we will be limiting our public engagement on the matter out of respect for our bereaved families and for the investigation that is in progress," Lewis said. "Thank you for your continued prayers and support."
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