Armed suspect arrested at Phoenix Comicon following struggle with police

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - An armed suspect has been arrested at Phoenix Comicon following a struggle with police.

According to Phoenix police, 30-year-old Mathew Sterling was wearing all black clothing, was heavily armed and wearing body armor and made threats towards police officers inside the Phoenix Convention Center on Thursday.

According to Sgt. Mercedes Fortune with Phoenix Police, the person had several guns on his person, including a shotgun. A statement released by Phoenix Police Thursday evening said the suspect was wearing body armor.

Police were reportedly tipped off by a woman who was known to Sterling, and said he had been taking pictures of officers. Officers were also alerted to a man posting threats against Phoenix police officers on social media.

Police say Sterling also threatened a Phoenix Comicon performer.

No officers were injured in the struggle, according to Sgt. Fortune. She went on to say the incident is isolated, and not part of a grand scheme.

Sterling faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, wearing body armor during the commission of a felony, resisting arrest and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place. He's being held on $1 million cash bond.

Phoenix Convention Center is the site of the Phoenix Comicon, which began on Thursday. The incident is causing a lot of security changes, including a banning of prop weapons, starting on Friday. Vendors will still be allowed to sell toy weapons, but they must be sealed.

More police presence is also expected.