An adult and juvenile are in custody following a fatal shooting of a police officer and bystander in the Gila River Indian Community on Saturday. Three others were injured, including a second officer.
Tribal Officer Joshua Briese, who had not yet finished field training, responded to a disturbance call involving a large crowd at a dance.
"I can tell you the FBI and Gila River PD are conducting interviews, gathering evidence, sharing information, and collectively working to identify all angles of this investigation," said Kevin Smith, who is with the FBI office in Phoenix.
The people in custody, both males, were being treated for injuries from the incident. Smith said the FBI will likely not release updates until the investigation is complete.
Briese’s father, David Leroy Briese Jr., also died in the line of duty with the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office in Montana in 2006.
Retired Las Vegas Lt. Randy Sutton, who founded The Wounded Blue to help officers injured in the line of duty, reacted to the shooting.
“Well, that tells me that this young man was dedicated to the greatest principles of law enforcement. In fact, he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps," he said.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell also shared her condolences..
