PINETOP-LAKESIDE, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities say a tribal police officer and a suspect were killed Monday in eastern Arizona after the officer responded to reports of gunfire near a casino.
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office says in a news release that the White Mountain Apache Tribe officer was called to the area near the tribe’s Hon-Dah Resort-Casino south of Pinetop-Lakeside and located a suspect.
The officer and the suspect engaged in what was described as a “violent” physical altercation and the officer was shot. A second officer then arrived and shot the male suspect.
The suspect and the officer were taken to a hospital where both died. The officer was identified by a tribal councilman as David Kellywood, 26.
“David was a fine officer and genuine man of character,” Councilman Jerold Altaha wrote in a Facebook post. “His loyalty and devotion to the public safety of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation will always be remembered.”
Gov Doug Ducey ordered flags lowered to half-staff Tuesday to honor Kellywood, who joined the department nine months ago and was a member of the tribe.
The sheriff’s office said the FBI was leading the investigation into the shooting. Pinetop-Lakeside is about 180 miles east of Phoenix.
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