On February 28, 2020, at 2:19AM, the Arizona Department of Public Safety was notified by the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) they were involved in a vehicular pursuit of heavily armed homicide suspects, and the pursuit was inbound to Arizona from New Mexico.
Upon notification, Arizona State Troopers responded to the area and took over the pursuit. As Arizona State Troopers began to pursue the suspects, the suspects began to shoot at both Arizona State Troopers and Troopers of NMSP. Due to the immediate danger the suspects displayed, additional troopers deployed ahead of the suspects and returned fire. As a result, the suspect’s vehicle was disabled, at which time the suspects were taken into custody. During this event, no civilians, troopers or suspects were injured. The suspects are currently being held in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Information about the homicide, which includes stolen weapons, will be referred to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The suspects are identified as a 37-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman. They will be facing multiple felony charges in Arizona as a result of their actions.
The suspect truck, a white Ram pickup, is reported stolen.
“Our state troopers should be commended for their fast thinking and bravery in stopping a lethal threat that entered into our state,” said Lt. Colonel Heston Silbert, Deputy Director of AZDPS.
One lane of Interstate 40 westbound is now open through the area.
