Arizona sheriff's deputies fatally shot a man over the weekend after his wife tipped off authorities that her husband was planning an ambush.
The shooting happened at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday after Yavapai County deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in Black Canyon City, the agency stated in an online update. A woman called 9-1-1 about her husband, Thomas Henzler, who had fired a shot into the ceiling to scare her while he was intoxicated.
While the woman was on the phone, she told a dispatcher that Henzler was setting up an ambush for deputies at the home's only access point. She secretly remained on the line to keep the sheriff's office updated about her husband's location. While she was on the phone, a dispatcher could hear the man state that he would shoot at law enforcement to "do a suicide by cop."
Deputies responded to the call, along with Arizona Department of Public Safety's Air Ranger and a tactical team. Once authorities reached the scene, the wife was able to leave the house, but Henzler remained inside.
Finally, Henzler came out of the house and began shooting. Deputies opened fire, and Henzler was fatally struck.
The Department of Public Safety is investigating the shooting.
