Around 4:15 this afternoon, Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 4300 block of West Marlo Drive, Prescott, regarding a man firing shots outside his home towards surrounding neighbor’s homes. While deputies were responding, the suspect’s wife additionally called and confirmed her husband had fired numerous shots into the neighborhood from the front of their home. She was inside the home at the time and feared for her safety.
As deputies arrived, one of the deputies on back side containment was able to escort the suspect’s wife away from the yard after she snuck away without the suspect’s knowledge. She told deputies her husband had re-entered the house to re-load a firearm and provided indications he was suicidal.
Deputies on the front side of the house approached the property as the suspect continued to fire rounds from the front yard into the neighborhood. Deputies attempted to negotiate with the man while directing him to drop the firearm. The suspect ignored those orders and began walking in the direction of the deputies while firing. A deputy, in fear for his life and the lives of those around him, shot the suspect. Medical personnel arrived and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The deputy was not injured.
The Department of Public Safety Officer Involved Shooting Team was notified and expected on scene tonight to begin an investigation.
As per policy, the deputy will be placed on administrative leave pending a review of the circumstances. His name is being withheld for 48 hours.