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Police release video of Phoenix ambush, OIS

Video shows the suspect firing at a state trooper, who was sitting in an unmarked vehicle

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By Suzie Ziegler

PHOENIX — Video of a September ambush and officer-involved shooting was released earlier this month by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

A 17-year-old gunman, identified as Luis German Espinoza Acuña, was taken into custody. Authorities are still searching for a second suspect, the driver of a silver 2013 Infiniti G37.

In the video, a driver pulled up alongside the trooper’s unmarked vehicle. Acuña gets out and fires at the trooper, before ducking behind a cement barricade when the trooper fires back. The driver of the Infiniti flees, leaving Acuña behind. More troopers arrive on scene and detain Acuña without further incident.

A statement from DPS Director Heston Silbert said the trooper was sitting alone in the vehicle when "completely, unexpectedly he was ambushed," according to the Arizona Republic. Although the vehicle was unmarked, the trooper was wearing a vest that identified him as law enforcement, the agency said.

No one was seriously injured in the shooting, DPS said.

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