PHOENIX — Phoenix police said a man and a woman are in custody after the shooting of an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper.
The man police arrested has been identified as 34-year-old Howard Johnson. Police also arrested 27-year-old Sonia Hernandez, who allegedly aided Johnson in escaping.
Police said officers were called to the scene near 19th Avenue north of Loop 101 in north Phoenix Thursday afternoon after hearing a DPS trooper was shot and injured.
DPS said Friday that the trooper was shot "several times" but is in good spirits and expected to make a full recovery.
“Having spoken with the trooper and his family, I am optimistic he will be back on the road in due time, protecting the citizens of Arizona with his brave and selfless service,” DPS Director Jeffrey Glover said in a statement.
Phoenix police detectives took over the investigation and quickly identified a suspect. Officers tracked the suspect – Johnson – to an apartment complex near 67th and Olive avenues. Authorities said after a short barricade, Johnson was taken into custody.
Johnson was transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries he suffered in the original incident with the DPS trooper.
Police said the trooper was transported to HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
A witness told 12News she heard shots fired between the suspect and trooper. She saw the trooper fall to the ground, the suspect got hit, got up, got into a white car, and took off.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office told 12News County Attorney Rachel Mitchell visited the emergency room and spoke briefly with a family member of the injured trooper.
Johnson and Hernandez both appeared in court Friday. Hernandez is accused of hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.
Johnson is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Silent Witness:
Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.