Fugitive Killed In Shoot Out With Yavapai County Deputies

Edward Kayer [Photo courtesy Yavapai County Sheriff's Office]

Edward Kayer, a fugitive wanted in an Arizona shooting incident, was fatally shot by Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Monday. The shooting followed a chase in Prescott Valley.

The 42-year-old Kayer was wanted by Sedona police for allegedly firing more than a dozen rounds outside a restaurant after getting into an argument with someone he was with. At the time, he left the area before police arrived on scene.

On Monday, Sedona Police received a tip that Kayer was in Prescott Valley and requested the assistance of Prescott Valley Police Department (PVPD) in locating him. At around 2:15 p.m., PVPD located Kayer on a motorcycle and attempted to pull him over. Kayer refused to stop and took off into the Legend Hills Community.

PVPD officers coordinated a search of the community and surrounding areas and found evidence he dumped his motorcycle and took off on foot. Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) deputies were called and saturated the area in an effort to find Kayer.

A Code Red emergency notification message was sent out to neighbors in the area letting them know an armed and dangerous suspect was in the area, along with a description of the suspect. YCSO received several calls from concerned citizens with tips on Kayer’s location.

“We can’t thank the public enough for their help during the search for Kayer. Not only did we get numerous reports on his general location, but we also received information that Kayer made statements that he was armed and would fire at law enforcement if they approached because he didn’t want to go back to prison,” said Sheriff David Rhodes, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. “This was crucial information that our deputies needed, and the outcome may have been different had we not known this.”

Just after 10:00 p.m., deputies received a final tip from the public, stating that Kayer was hiding in a field in the area off Antelope Meadows Road near Dog Ranch Road, in the Antelope Meadows Community. Three deputies headed into the area to search the field. As deputies began their search, Kayer fired multiple shots at deputies, striking a patrol car. The deputies took cover and DPS Ranger located the suspect and shined a spotlight on him allowing deputies to return fire.

“The area that the shooting took place was in an open field. It was extremely dark and our deputies were exposed, having to take cover immediately while trying to determine where the shots came from,” said Rhodes. “Without the aerial support from the DPS Ranger that located the suspect and put a spotlight on Kayer, our deputies could have been seriously hurt or even killed. We are grateful for their help and so thankful our deputies weren’t injured by the suspect.”

Kayer was pronounced dead on scene.

Kayer was convicted of Manslaughter out of Oregon and served 15 years in Prison. He was wanted for a parole violation in connection to that case. He was a prohibited possessor.

About ADI Staff Reporter 12171 Articles
Under the leadership of Editor-in -Chief Huey Freeman, our team of staff reporters bring accurate,timely, and complete news coverage.