5 Phoenix police officers shot, woman killed, in barricade situation at home

(PHOENIX) — Five Phoenix police officers were shot and injured, and a woman was shot and killed during an early morning barricade situation, the department said.

All of the officers’ injuries were non-life-threatening, police said.

The incident began when officers were called to a home where a woman was reported shot, Phoenix police said.

When an officer approached to help, the suspect, an adult man, invited the officer inside, said Phoenix police spokesman Andy Williams.

As the officer approached the door, “the suspect ambushed him with a gun and shot him several times,” Williams said. “That officer was able to get back and get away to safety.”

“Other backup officers arrived on scene and they surrounded the home and began calling out the occupants,” Williams said.

Then another man — not the suspect — came out of the house holding a baby girl, police said. The man put the baby on the ground and walked to police where he was detained.

When officers went to bring the baby to safety, the suspect again opened fire from inside the house, shooting four more officers.

Four other officers were indirectly injured when they were struck by shrapnel, police said.

The suspect then barricaded himself in the home, police said.

Extremely active scene near 51st and W Elwood in Phoenix. We heard several gunshots and saw a chopper over head with its spotlight on when we arrived. @PhoenixPolice on scene and asking public to avoid area. Our photographer saw at least one officer shot @abc15 pic.twitter.com/uV10rLNig5

— Amelia Fabiano ABC15 (@AmeliaFabianoTV) February 11, 2022

Once the scene was secured, police said they found the suspect inside, dead from an apparent gunshot wound. He was identified by police as 36-year-old Morris Jones.

The woman who was the first reported to be shot was found in extremely critical condition inside the home, police said. Hours later, police said she died from her injuries. The woman appeared to be the suspect’s former girlfriend, police said.

The baby appeared to be OK, police added. Officials believe she is the child of Jones and the deceased female victim. She was in custody of the state Department of Child Safety, police said Friday evening.

The man who brought the infant out of the home is not a suspect at this time and is cooperating with investigators, Williams said in an update Friday evening. He is believed to be a family member who lived in the home, according to Williams.

“He was compliant, detained and removed from harm’s way,” Williams said.

Four of the five officers injured by gunfire remained hospitalized Friday evening. One officer was critically injured, and three others suffered serious injuries, police said.

“This is yet another example of the dangers our officers face day in and day out keeping our community safe,” Phoenix Chief Jeri Williams said during Friday evening’s briefing. “This kind of violence has no place in our city. And it continues to happen over and over again in this community and in our country.”

There were several other police shot across the country on Friday alone. Two officers were shot in Frederick, Maryland, both of whom are expected to survive. A New Mexico State Police officer was injured in a shooting at a gas station east of Albuquerque. Also, a police officer was shot in Philadelphia while serving a warrant, but was saved by their bulletproof vest.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego told reporters she couldn’t recall an incident in the city’s history where that many officers were injured.

“We are fortunate that in such a horrific incident and with so many injured, all are going to be safe though many face a very difficult recovery,” she said.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tweeted, “Please continue to pray for the five @PhoenixPolice officers injured this morning. Our men and women in blue work day and night — no matter the circumstances — to protect our state from danger.”

He added, “My office is working closely with the Phoenix Police Department to get updates on the situation and the officers’ conditions.”

Other police departments are also speaking out.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown tweeted that his department “stands with our brothers and sisters of the Phoenix Police.”

ABC News’ Nicholas Kerr, Michelle Mendez and Alyssa Pone contributed to this report.

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