DPS: Suspect dead following officer-involved shooting west of Phoenix

QUARTZSITE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Authorities say a suspect is dead following an officer-involved shooting that closed Interstate 10 west of Phoenix for several hours on Wednesday.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says the first of several shootings happened along I-10 near milepost 57 at 1 a.m. when a man, identified as 43-year-old Marcos Ricardo Ruiz-Zazueta, was driving a blue Ford Mustang was pulled over by a trooper because of a suspended license plate, and a passenger in the car, identified as 31-year-old Rodolfo Ballardo, got out with a semi-automatic weapon and began firing at the trooper.

The trooper took cover and returned fire to Ballardo. The trooper was not injured.

Ruiz-Zazueta was taken into custody by the trooper, but Ballardo fled the scene in the vehicle.

Border Patrol agents spotted the Mustang and began pursuing the vehicle. Ballardo then began firing at the agents near milepost 11 on I-10 but fled the scene on foot.

Ballardo then stole a semi-truck from a truck stop and another pursuit with authorities ensued along I-10.

The pursuit ended when Ballardo exited off I-10 and engaged in gunfire with DPS troopers, Border Patrol agents and Laz Paz County deputies.

Ballardo was shot by authorities near Gem World in Quartzsite and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

No troopers were injured in any of the shootings.

Marcos Ricardo Ruiz-Zazueta is a resident of Mexico and was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit possession of dangerous drugs, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs for sale, and conspiracy to commit transportation of a dangerous drug for sale.

DPS says Ballardo's last known residence was Wasco, California.

>>Video from the scene: https://www.facebook.com/FOX10Phoenix/videos/1504773482904527/

Westbound I-10 was reopened from mileposts 57 to 81 just after 8 a.m.