The Phoenix police officer who was shot in an ambush on Friday morning has been released from the hospital and her assailant is in custody.
Phoenix Officer released from the hospital among friends and family. pic.twitter.com/dEUW3JB1ZR
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) March 26, 2023
According to the Pheonix Police Department, 29-year-old Joseph Lopez was taken into custody and later booked into Maricopa County Jail for attempted murder and other felony charges.
The ambush occurred when officers responded to a hit and run accident call near 1100 West Atlanta Avenue at about 9:46 a.m. on March 24, 2023. The injured officer was the first responding officer to arrive on the scene. She saw Lopez walking on foot matching the description given on the call. While approaching in her patrol car, Lopez pulled a rifle and began shooting at the officer.
The officer made an emergency movement in the patrol car and drove away from the threat. During this time, the officer suffered a gunshot wound to her left hip and a bullet fragments to her face.