By The Associated Press
A Phoenix, Ariz. police officer wounded Saturday night as a drunken driving suspect was being processed likely was shot by another officer, investigators said Monday.
Investigators say Officer Vern Hancock’s wounds came from the weapon of Officer Jason Scarpati, who also fatally shot a man who police say grabbed Hancock’s gun.
The shooting occurred inside a van used by police to test motorists suspected of drunken driving.
Police say the suspect grabbed Hancock’s gun as the officer was about to process him. A struggle ensued, and Hancock’s weapon fired once.
Scarpati saw the fight from outside the van and heard a shot, followed by a scream from Hancock.
Hancock was being treated at a hospital for injuries in his abdomen, left arm and shoulder. He is in guarded but stable condition at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center with wounds to his abdomen, left arm and left shoulder area, Force said.
Scarpati initially arrested the man, whose name has not been released, about 10:15 p.m. on suspicion of driving under the influence, Force said.
The 30-year-old officer brought him to the processing van, parked behind a gas station, so other officers could do more DUI tests. The vans are used as collection points where several officers can drop off DUI suspects for testing, so the officers can return to the streets.
The man waited in Scarpati’s patrol car until it was his turn, Force said.
More than 90 minutes after the arrest, Hancock came out of the mobile center. Scarpati removed the man’s handcuffs and led him to the DUI van, all according to procedure, Force said. Suspects who aren’t aggressive or threatening are tested without handcuffs.
“There had been no problems with this particular suspect,” Force said. “He had not been violent or belligerent . . . We don’t know if he seized his opportunity at that moment or if he was just biding his time,” Force said.
Scarpati, a nine-year veteran of the Phoenix police, is on routine three-day administrative leave. The department is conducting routine homicide and internal investigations.
Hancock is expected to recover. His family declined to comment, but Force said he is expected to return to work.
“He’s in considerable pain today,” Force said. “We hope he’ll be headed home soon.”
Police were trying to identify the suspect.