A Scottsdale police detective died after a rifle inadvertently fired while he was unloading equipment from a vehicle on Thursday.
Mesa police investigated the death through the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team partnership.
Mesa police say Scottsdale Detective Ryan So and officers from the department’s Special Assignment Unit had just completed a search warrant and arrest.
While unloading equipment from a vehicle near 76th Street and Greenway Hayden Loop, So removed a bag containing a rifle.
The rifle fell and discharged when it hit the ground, striking So.
His fellow detectives rendered aid, but So later died at the hospital.
A Navy veteran who served Scottsdale for nine years, So is survived by his wife and three children.
