Today, September 11, 2015, a Phoenix Police Officer in a marked vehicle observed a suspicious and speeding SUV along Northern Avenue. A person from that vehicle was later observed pointing a handgun at a pedestrian by that officer. As the officer attempted to close in on the vehicle, several shots were fired at him from the vehicle.
The incident came to a conclusion in a parking lot at 8605 N. 59th Avenue. Six occupants were detained. 24-year old Doneevon Tramel Hawkins of Phoenix has been arrested and booked on charges of drive-by shooting, aggravated assault on a police officer, prohibited possession of a firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm. There were no injuries related to this incident.
The Phoenix officer first observed the SUV on Northern Avenue, within the city of Phoenix. As he closed in to observe the license plate, he saw an arm extend from the rear passenger window and point a handgun at a pedestrian just west of 43rd Avenue. He relayed this information to Phoenix dispatch and a Phoenix Police air unit responded. He caught up to the vehicle as it turned north onto 59th Avenue. Shortly after turning, an arm extended from a driver’s side window and the officer observed several muzzle flashes in his direction.
The SUV continued north to a Jack in the Box that is just north of Olive Avenue, along 59th Avenue. At that time Glendale officers observed the vehicle being spotlighted by the air unit and began to assist. The vehicle travelled back south and eventually pulled into the parking lot at 8605 N. 59th Avenue. All occupants exited the vehicle; some attempting to flee. One of those occupants was Doneevon Hawkins, who was seen running towards the victim officer with a handgun in his hand. A handgun was located where Doneevon attempted to hide from officers. Several shell casings were also collected from the roadway where the officer described the shots being fired at.
The officer was not injured during this incident and his vehicle was not struck by any gunfire.