Ariz. Police K-9, Armed Man Shot in Park Shootout

Oct. 10, 2023

Tucson police responded to reports of an armed man in crisis in a park, and gunfire erupted when officers released a K-9 to subdue the man, wounding the gunman and the dog.

Source Officer.com News

Joe Vince

A Tucson, AZ, police K-9 and a gunman were shot and wounded during a park shootout Sunday when officers responded to reports of an armed man in crisis.

An Arizona police dog was shot Sunday in a shootout at a park that also left a gunman wounded.

The shooting happened at around 8:30 p.m. after Tucson police responded to reports of a man in crisis at Gene C. Reid Park, the Arizona Daily Star reports. The armed man was on the phone with dispatchers and mental health professionals, who tried to de-escalate the situation while officers reached the scene.

Callers to 9-1-1 reported shots being fired, and negotiators talked with the man as police cleared the area. A SWAT unit also called in.

Police confronted the armed man, and a K-9 was released when the man moved into a clearing. Gunfire erupted from the man and police, and the K-9 and the gunman were both wounded.

The man suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to the hospital. The K-9 was taken to an animal hospital in stable condition.

The shooting is under investigation by the department and the multi-agency Pima Regional Critical Incident Team.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.