By Police1 Staff
TEMPE, Ariz. — A man suspected in the drive-by shooting of a deputy who was conducting a traffic stop killed himself in front of detectives Wednesday, ABC 15 reported.
An investigation into the shooting that left a deputy wounded led detectives to the man’s home. Detectives planned to speak to the 51-year-old suspect but he pulled out a rifle and shot himself. No one else was injured.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio called the case a “bizarre investigation” at a news conference attended by ABC 15. Investigators believe the drive-by shooting was related to an earlier DUI stop.
The suspect was pulled over by the deputy as part of a DUI-enforcement program. The suspect was taken to police headquarters where his car was seized.
Hours later, the suspect drove by in another vehicle and shot the deputy, who was conducting a separate traffic stop. Arpaio told the news site he believes the suspect was mad and targeting cops.
“People going after cops for no reason when cops are trying to do their jobs. The public and Washington better get with it and start defending our cops,” Arpaio said.
Identities of the suspect and deputy have not been released.
The incident was still under investigation.