Two Phoenix police detectives were shot while chasing a fugitive, authorities say.
The shooter was killed at the scene, near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road.
Phoenix Police Sergeant Steve Martos says three undercover detectives were tracking the man and looking to arrest him on a warrant. The man made them as cops and tried to drive away but crashed at 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home.
At that point, the man got out of the car and ran, at one point shooting back and striking two of the officers.
The third detective shot and killed the suspect, Martos says.
The detectives have been hospitalized, and police say the intersection will be shut down for several hours.
UPDATE 5:35 p.m.: Sergeant Trent Crump says both detectives are in surgery at St. Joseph's hospital.
UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: Police Chief Daniel Garcia says one of the officers has died. He said the officer was a 21-year veteran of the department.
UPDATE 5:49 p.m.: Martos says the officers involved are with the Major Offender Bureau, which is tasked with locating people with arrest warrants related to violent crimes. The other officer who was shot is a nine-year veteran of the department.
UPDATE March 4, 8:11 a.m.: Here's the shooter, 28-year-old William Thornton. State prison records show he was released from prison in January after serving about 18 months of a two-year sentence for resisting arrest and drug possession out of Maricopa County. A warrant was issued for his arrest a few weeks after his release for absconding from parole.
UPDATE 9:18 a.m.: The detective killed in the shooting has been identified as 43-year-old John Hobbs. The other detective, who's recovering from surgery, is 44 years old.
Check back for updates.
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