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Police identify woman injured after shooting at Mesa police headquarters

A 39-year-old woman is at the hospital after being involved in a shooting Thursday night at the headquarters of the Mesa Police Department.

MESA, Ariz. — A 39-year-old woman is at the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being involved in a shooting at the Mesa Police Department headquarters.

On July 7 around 9 p.m., a Mesa police officer was driving a marked patrol vehicle. As he was entering the north gate into the secured parking lot at the headquarters near Country Club Drive and Main Street, another vehicle followed him through the gate and rammed the back of his patrol vehicle. 

According to authorities, the officer exited his vehicle and the shooting occurred. Police added that the officer involved in the shooting did not sustain any serious injuries.  

Taneysha Carter, has been identified as the suspect involved in the incident. 

Carter was reportedly shot and transported to a hospital for treatment. Officials said she is expected to survive her injuries.

Police documents indicate Carter admitted to following the officer's vehicle in her SUV for about five minutes. Police said she told officers, that anytime she contacts police she has panic attacks and suffers from anxiety.

Police said she told officers she believed Mesa police, Phoenix police and MCSO deputies are trying to kill her. She also said she believes the military and a group she referred to as the "Illuminati" were also trying to harm her. 

Authorities said Carter told police she was trying to get the officer's attention to tell him this information. She said she thought the officer knew who she was and led her into the gate. She admitted her SUV bumped the patrol vehicle but said it was an accident. Police said Carter told officers she has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety but is not receiving any medical treatment.

Mesa police said Carter had a mental health detainer placed on her by the agency back in 2020.

Carter also admitted to being at Mesa Police Headquarters in the past on three or four occasions but said she parked out front when visiting. 

Once released from the hospital, police said Carter will be booked on aggravated assault and criminal trespass charges. 

Mesa police are investigating the incident and will continue to provide updates as they become available.  

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