By Police1 Staff
PHOENIX — An officer was shot and a suspect killed Saturday after police responded to a 911 call made by the gunman.
According to AZ Central, the shootout began when police responded to a call from the suspect, who claimed multiple gunmen were surrounding him.
The suspect, 44-year-old Erik Tellez, then opened fired on responding officers as they surveyed the area, KPHO reported.
“The officers couldn’t have a full conversation before he started shooting at us,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Jonathan Howard told the publication.
Tellez fired shots from inside a van and struck one officer in the shoulder before another officer fatally shot the suspect.
Police have reportedly come in contact with Tellez before over mental health-related issues, and don’t believe the shooter made the call with the intent to ambush officers.
The officer who was wounded was taken to a hospital, treated and released.