GILA RIVER, Arizona – A Gila River Police officer was killed and another injured in a shooting incident at a home in Santan, located in District 4 of the Gila River Indian Community. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, June 1.
Authorities received reports of a disturbance and upon arrival, confronted a large crowd and gunfire. Six individuals, including two officers, were shot during the altercation. Sadly, 23-year-old Officer Joshua Briese succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. Officer Briese, who had been with the Gila River Police for less than a year and was still in training, had a family history of law enforcement, as his father was also killed while on duty in 2006.
Gila River Police and the FBI have launched a joint investigation into the shooting. The department expressed condolences to the affected officers’ families and everyone impacted by the tragic incident.
The injured officer is currently in serious but stable condition. Additionally, one other individual was pronounced dead, although their identity remains unknown.
Further details surrounding the shooting and the events leading up to it have not been disclosed at this time.