Update- the YCSO officers involved were released today Monday September 28, 2015, they are:
- Deputy Brandon Warren, 26, has been with YCSO for 14 months –
- Deputy Dakota Brinkley, 24, has been with YCSO for 10 months –
- DPS will be responsible for releasing the Troopers names.
At approximately 10:15 PM Friday night YCSO deputies, with assistance of troopers from the Department of Public Safety (DPS), were dispatched to the 9200 block of South Steven Trail, Wilhoit, regarding reports of gunshots being fired from a residence during a party. Callers identified the specific location along with the name of the individual who they believed was firing multiple shots. Deputies were already in the area assisting YCSO detectives on an unrelated matter and indicated also hearing the gunshots. YCSO has several prior contacts at the residence for disorderly conduct/noise issues including a recent weapons misconduct investigation.
Troopers and deputies (referred to as officers in the remaining narrative) arrived just before 11 PM and saw numerous persons gathered in the back yard area of the concerned home. While positioned outside of a fence surrounding the property, officers attempted verbal contact and encountered a male subject. As officers watched, the subject grabbed a firearm from a nearby vehicle parked in the yard and ignored commands to drop the weapon. Instead, he began firing the weapon in a threatening manner in the presence of those officers. In defense of their safety and those around them, officers from both agencies returned fire striking the subject.
The injured subject, 45-years-old, was transported to Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott where he later died. No officers were injured. Several persons were detained at the location.
The DPS Special Investigations Unit will be investigating the incident and has been on scene throughout the morning. Further details are pending the DPS review of the circumstances. Identity of the subject is pending next of kin. The names of YCSO deputies will be not be released for at least 48 hours per policy.