Lorenzino Estrada, Rey Covarrubias Jr., L. M. Boyd, Elena Santa Cruz and Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
·4 min read
A police officer responding to a disturbance at a home early Saturday and a woman are both dead in Santan, District 4, of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, according to local authorities.
Joshua Briese, who had been with the police department for less than a year, and another officer responded to a disturbance call involving a large crowd, according to the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network. Multiple gunshots were fired and both officers were struck, the Gila River Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.
Both officers were taken to the hospital. Briese died from his injuries, while the other officer, who has not been identified, was in serious but stable condition, according to police.
Four other people were struck by gunfire. The woman who died was identified as 23-year-old Alicen Apkaw, Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian Community, said. He did not provide details about her time of death. The three others who were shot were being treated at area hospitals.
Two suspects were taken into custody Sunday by the FBI's Phoenix Field Office and the Gila River Police Department. Officials identified them as a man and a teen boy but did not release their names. They said both individuals were receiving medical care for the injuries they received from the shooting.
"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," Lewis said. "Nothing cuts deeper than a life cut short. 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."
Here's what to know about the incident.
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Who was Joshua Briese?
Briese was the son of former Yellowstone County Sheriff's Officer David Briese, whoalso died in the line of duty.
David Briese was killed in November 2006 in an automobile accident on Interstate 90 in Billings, Montana, while responding to a backup call for an officer who was dealing with a combative impaired driver, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office released a statement regarding Joshua Briese's death:
"YCSO is heart broken and in disbelief upon receiving word this morning of the Line of Duty Death of Gila River Arizona Police Officer Josh Briese, Joshie as many of us called him," the statement said. "All we can say is God Speed and rest easy. Knowing Dave & Josh are together again, both left this world serving their community and doing what they loved. RIP."
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell also released 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."
Where was the Gila River shooting?
Luisa Gomez, a member of the Gila River Tribe, woke to sirens related to the shooting only blocks away from her home. Gomez said the civilians who were hurt and killed in the shooting were related to her and that it occurred at a teenager's birthday party.
"It's not that dangerous here ..." Gomez said. "Usually, it's very nice and quiet."
Roberto Jackson, the communications director for Gila River Indian Community, declined to release further details on Saturday afternoon, including where the shooting occurred.
Authorities, however, closed both lanes of Moffett Road south of State Route 87 on Saturday. There was a heavy police presence nearby, including a mobile command center. About six law enforcement vehicles were seen near the closure as FBI investigators processed the scene at a residence about half a mile south of Moffett Road and SR 87.
Community puts ban on all dances after shooting
On Saturday evening, Lewis called a special meeting with the Gila River Indian Community Council. Leaders approved a moratorium on all dances, effective immediately, according to documents posted to the community's Facebook page.
Anyone hosting or attending a dance in the community could face arrest on disorderly misconduct and trespassing charges, according to the documents. Anyone hosting a dance is subject to losing their homesite and anyone playing music at a dance faces a $1,000 fine and risks their instruments being confiscated.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gila River, Arizona police officer Joshua Briese killed in shooting
