By Senta Scarborough, The Arizona Republic and The Associated Press
Two Maricopa County, Ariz. sheriff’s deputies were shot this morning in a county island near east Mesa while serving a search warrant in connection to a homicide. The gunman was struck by returning gunfire.
There was no word on the conditions of the deputies, identified as Sean Pearce, an 11-year veteran, and Lew Argetsinger, a three-year veteran.
A sheriff’s spokesman said seven SWAT team members used a battering ram to enter the home in the 100 block of 91st Way, near Broadway and Ellsworth roads, about 6:30 a.m., after getting no answer.
Once inside, a man opened fire on two of the deputies. The gunman was not the homicide suspect being sought in connection with the search warrant, authorities said.
Pearce was hit in the abdomen by a bullet that struck below his protective vest. Another deputy returned fire, hitting the suspect in the face. Argetsinger was hit in the hand by a stray bullet.
The name of the suspect and conditions of the three men were not immediately available.
The deputies were airlifted to a hospital.
Neighbors heard 7 to 10 shots as the SWAT team entered the home. The deputies were serving a warrant for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials are looking for a red truck they say the homicide suspect could be driving.