Charles Ryan, the former director of the Arizona Department of Corrections was hospitalized after he was involved in a standoff with Tempe Police Department officers on Thursday night.
Officers responded to a call at approximately 9:30 p.m. regarding an armed man, with possible injuries, inside a home in the area of Warner Road just east of Rural Road.
Ryan’s wife and adult daughter escaped from the house. Police then tried to coax Ryan out of the home but he refused.
Eventually Ryan came out of the home and pointed a gun at officers, which prompted authorities to “use less lethal force.” Ryan then went back into the home. A short time later, Ryan came out of the house, surrendered to officers, and was arrested.
Ryan suffered a self-inflicted gun shot wound to his hand and was taken to the hospital. He is expected to face criminal charges.
Ryan was the director of the Arizona Department of Corrections until he retired in 2019.