Police investigate officer-involved shooting in Phoenix; suspect identified

PHOENIX - UPDATE (3/4/2018)

Glendale Police identified the suspect in Friday's officer involved shooting as Stephen Hudak, 44.

According to Glendale Police, Hudak was shot by Phoenix Police special assignment officers on Friday, after he produced a firearm while officers were trying to arrest him.

Original Story

A dangerous scene unfolded in a Glendale neighborhood after shots were fired and a police officer was injured.

This happened on Friday morning near 43rd Avenue and Olive.

Sgt. Tiffany Smith with Glendale Police says a multi-agency task force was attempting to arrest a violent suspect with multiple felony warrants. As they encountered that suspect, the individual fired shots and a Glendale police sergeant was struck.

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The male suspect then fled the area on foot into the neighborhood. Police established a perimeter and sent tactical officers from different agencies.

The Glendale Police sergeant who was shot was part of a taskforce that had been watching and tracking the 44-year-old suspect, who officers tried to arrest at a parking lot. He is described as a senior sergeant with 20 years of service with Glendale Police.

"At that time, the suspect fled on foot, and the officers pursued on foot," said Sgt. Smith. "That's when the suspect engaged the officers and shot the sergeant."

The suspect ran into a neighborhood. Residents in the neighborhood were told to stay indoors, while officers from several agencies combed through yards, peered over backyard fences, as they looked for the suspect.

After nearly an hour, Phoenix SWAT team members cornered the suspect at a home's side yard. Phoenix Police said the suspect fired at officers first, and SWAT team members returned fire.

"And then we heard shootings, and it went on for a little bit," said Analyse Sanchez. "It was like boom boom boom. It was very loud."

The suspect was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.