PHOENIX – Luis German Espinoza Acuna, age 17, is in custody after ambushing an Arizona State trooper Thursday morning in Phoenix. Authorities are searching for a second suspect in connection with the incident.
On Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 8:53 a.m., Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) detectives were conducting a criminal investigation around the 3700 block of Roosevelt Street in Phoenix. A detective assigned to the investigation and dressed in attire, which clearly identified him as a police officer, was seated in his unmarked police vehicle facing south on 37th Avenue, south of Portland Street.
As the detective sat in his vehicle, a silver Infinity passenger car, traveling northbound, approached him. The driver of the Infiniti stopped the vehicle near the front of the detective’s vehicle and honked the horn. At that moment, Acuna stepped out of the Infinity and ambushed the detective, firing an AK Pistol variant as the detective exited his vehicle and returned fire.
A second AZDPS detective who was nearby responded to the scene and also engaged the shooter.
The driver of the Infinity fled the area, leaving the shooter behind. The two detectives were able to apprehend the shooter.
Neither the detectives nor the shooting suspect were injured.
AZDPS detectives seek public assistance locating this vehicle, believed to be a silver 2008-2013 Infinity model G-37 with custom wheels. It has a temporary plate & appears to have chipped paint below the license plate area. If seen, please call 9-1-1 immediately. pic.twitter.com/17xfuEp72S
— Dept. of Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) September 17, 2020