The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect from the carjacking which lead to a deputy involved shooting on October 4, 2017, as 24-year-old Elijah Jamal Lawrence. Lawrence is still at Banner University Medical Center in critical condition.
Sergeant Kevin Kubitskey, an 18 year veteran of the department, was the deputy involved.
On October 4, just before 2:00 p.m., Pima County deputies responded to a residence in the 4100 block of East Dover Stravenue for a report of an armed robbery/carjacking. Deputies received information that a male suspect had attempted to steal a car at one residence in the neighborhood, but was unsuccessful. He then went to another residence on the same street, held one man at gunpoint, and stole his car while taking the victim as a hostage. Information was then provided the Tucson Police Department was investigating a carjacking incident near Valencia and Interstate 10 and the Arizona Department of Public Safety was assisting in the search for the suspect. Based on the information provided at the time, it appeared the incidents were connected.
Deputies located the vehicle near East Drexel Road and South Alvernon Way. The suspect pointed a gun at the deputy as he attempted a traffic stop. The suspect failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit the suspect could be seen pointing a gun at both the hostage as well as pursuing deputies. The pursuit continued to the area of East Aviation Parkway and East 34th Street where the suspect veered into the concrete median. Deputies confronted the suspect who still had the hostage inside. The suspect began pointing a gun at the hostage again, at which point shots were fired. Deputies detained the suspect, who was found to have a bullet wound, and immediately began administering emergency medical aid. The suspect was taken to Banner University Medical Center to receive treatment for his injuries.
Initial investigation into the incident revealed that one deputy fired at the suspect.