A 15-year-old, Elmer Virgen, is in custody at a Tucson hospital after he allegedly shot at Tucson Police officers.
According to the Tucson Police Department (TPD), on September 3, 2020 officers were attempting to find the 15-year-old Virgen, who they say has gang affiliations and was wanted on several violent felony charges. Those charges include: armed robbery, aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Those charges stemmed from an armed robbery that occurred at a local Quik Mart on July 31, 2020. On that night, according to police, Virgen was with 17-year-old Simon Pancho and two other suspects. On August 26, 2020, officers located Pancho and attempted to take him into custody. During the attempted arrest, Pancho pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and was shot by one of the officers. Pancho was treated on scene but succumbed to his injuries.
Then on September 3, at approximately 11:00 p.m., officers located Virgen in the area of South Midvale Park Road and South Headley Road. When officers attempted to take him into custody, he ran down a residential street away from the officers. “Tango,” a TPD K9 was released and helped capture Virgen in the street. While Virgen was running, he pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and fired multiple rounds toward the officers. One of the officers returned fire and struck Virgen.
Virgen to a local hospital where he is currently receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, according to TPD.
During the incident, “Tango” was injured by gunfire. He was transported to Valley Animal Hospital where he is recovering from his injuries.
Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit are conducting the criminal portion of this investigation, while sergeants with the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) are conducting a separate, but parallel, administrative investigation to examine the actions of department personnel. This is standard protocol in all officer-involved shootings.