The Phoenix Police Department is investigating a homicide and an officer involved shooting that has left two people dead and nine officers injured.
This morning, February 11, 2022, around 2 a.m., officers went to a home near 54th Avenue and Elwood Street after a caller told a 911 operator that a woman had been shot by an intruder and there were multiple armed suspects inside the house.
The first officer to get there saw a man, later identified as Morris Jones, standing in the open doorway directing the officer to the victim inside. As the officer got close to the front door, Jones fired a handgun and shot the officer multiple times. The injured officer was able to back away and find cover. A second officer on scene returned fire, causing Jones to go back into the home.
Other officers arrived and set up around the home. Jones fired more shots from inside the home in the direction of the officers.
Jones then got into a vehicle parked in the garage and tried to leave by ramming a patrol car that was blocking his escape. When he was unsuccessful, he went back into the home.
At one point, a man walked into the open doorway holding an infant in one hand with his other hand raised in the air. Not knowing who this man was, officers ordered him to put the infant down and walk backwards toward them. The man did as he was told and was detained.
Officers then went up to the front door to rescue the baby. As they reached the porch, Jones opened fire on them. Four officers were hit by bullets and four others were wounded by fragments or ricochets. The officers backed away and took cover. Jones fired more shots at officers and one officer returned fire.
The Special Assignments Unit arrived on scene rescued the uninjured infant by using ballistic shields. Jones also fired shots at the SAU officers during the barricade.
The SAU officers unsuccessfully tried to get Jones to come outside. Officers used a camera to look in the home and saw Jones not moving. They went inside and found Jones and a woman, believed to be Jones’ ex-girlfriend, both shot. Neither one survived their injuries.
Some of the injured officers remained active on scene, until the barricade ended, before seeking treatment. Four officers remain hospitalized. The others were treated and released.
This is the information as we currently know it. The investigation is still ongoing.