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‘Barrage of bullets’: 2 Phoenix cops wounded in ambush shooting

A pedestrian opened fire as the officers were trying to make a traffic stop, police said

phoenix ambush shooting

Jess Winters for 12 News, Twitter

By Suzie Ziegler

PHOENIX — Phoenix Police say two officers were ambushed with a “barrage of bullets” during a traffic stop on Sunday. One officer was shot in the wrist and the other was hurt by flying glass, reported FOX 10. Both are expected to recover.

The incident began around 1:30 a.m. with an attempted traffic stop, according to the report. The driver fled, but the two officers spotted the same car again soon after and tried again to stop it. That’s when a man standing beside the road opened fire at the patrol car.

The driver of the traffic stop tried to run away but was later taken into custody, police said. The suspected gunman, 28-year-old Devonte Thornton, was arrested after a manhunt.

Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams condemned the incident.

“This is the 7th Phoenix officer shot and 12th injured in the line of duty in the past three months,” said Williams in a statement obtained by FOX 10. “This kind of violence within our community and toward police officers cannot become the new normal.”

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