The detectives spotted the violent felon driving a car in the area around 4000 W. Camelback Road. They believe that Thornton realized he was under surveillance and fled without getting out of his vehicle.
The detectives followed Thornton to 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road, where he collided with another vehicle. Thornton then got out of his vehicle and fled on foot. As Detective Hobbs and his partner, who was driving their car, pulled up and started to get out of their vehicle, Thornton began to fire at them with a handgun, according to police.
Thornton was on the passenger side of the detectives’ vehicle and his gunfire struck both Detective Hobbs and his partner. Police report that although Detective Hobbs was mortally wounded and down, he returned fire and shot Thornton numerous times. His partner, who was also critically wounded, was unable to return fire at the suspect.
As the shooting was taking place, the third detective who approached from a different direction in an attempt to cut off the suspect, saw Thornton shooting at the other detectives, and he also fired at Thornton.
Thornton was killed during the gun battle.
Hobbs was a 21-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. His partner is a 9-year veteran of the Department.
He is still in the hospital in critical, but stable condition.