AHWATUKEE – On Thursday, eight people were hospitalized, and a woman is dead after federal agents attempted to serve a search warrant as part of a human smuggling investigation.
A shootout between suspects and agents occurred near 48th Street and Elliot Road.
“On April 11, 2019, HSI special agents discharged their firearms striking two suspects while executing a federal felony arrest warrant connected to human smuggling in Ahwatukee, Arizona,” said Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, ICE Public Affairs Officer in an email to the ADI. “The Phoenix Police Department is the lead agency investigating the incident. In accordance with agency protocol, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing the incident.”
According to Phoenix Police Homeland Security agents tried to stop a vehicle to make an arrest in the case at approximately 9:45 a.m. Five suspects were in the vehicle, at least was armed with an assault rifle. One suspect attempted to flee.
Investigators said the suspect tried to run, when the front-seat passenger opened fire on the agents.
Four agents suffered injuries that are not life-threatening.