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SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. - A 46-year-old woman was killed in an apparent shootout with Pinal County Sheriff's deputies on Thursday night in San Tan Valley.
What we know:
"This evening, around 7:51 p.m., a PCSO sergeant initiated a traffic stop in the area of Gantzel and Pecan Creek. The vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated by the deputies. During the pursuit, the suspect made an aggravated assault against the sergeant using the vehicle. Shortly after that, a crash occurred near Combs and Gantzel. After the crash, a deputy-involved shooting occurred," said PCSO Capt. Hunter Rankin on July 17.
The crash reportedly happened about six minutes into the pursuit.
"Preliminary evidence shows rounds were fired at deputies," Capt. Rankin said. "A 46-year-old female driver was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel."
A deputy was also injured in the incident, according to Capt. Rankin, and was taken to the hospital with injuries that are considered to be non-life-threatening.
During a news conference on July 18, Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple identified the suspect as 46-year-old Melissa Mills. Sheriff Teeple also said one of the deputies was nearly hit by gunfire from Mills.
"It's a Thursday night, guys. The weather was beautiful. It's a residential area where the speed limit is 25 mph. Parents are shopping with their kids, so this driver had no regard whatsoever for the public safety," Sheriff Teeple said.
Dig deeper:
PCSO detailed more about the shooting that injured the deputy.
"The female driver produced a handgun from the dashboard and fired at deputies, who were positioned behind their patrol vehicles giving commands," PCSO said. "At least one round was confirmed to have been fired by the suspect, striking the window of a patrol vehicle just inches from a deputy's head."
'Within inches of taking the deputy's life'
The deputy was injured by glass fragments and was treated at the hospital. He's been released from the hospital.
"The glass that this bullet caused went into my deputy's eyes, struck him in the face. The fragments that he received were from this bullet that was shot at him. It was within inches of taking the deputy's life," Sheriff Teeple said.
The injured deputy, the sergeant and other deputies are on paid administrative leave.
This wasn't Mills' first run in with law enforcement. PCSO says she was previously arrested in May 2024 on suspicion of unlawful flight, driving on a suspended license, possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.
A male passenger was inside the car and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He's since been booked into jail, PCSO says, because of a traffic warrant by Arizona DPS.
"This is Arizona and this is Pinal County. If you commit a criminal offense here, we're going to take action," Sheriff Teeple said.
What we don't know:
PCSO did not say why the sergeant initially wanted to pull the driver over.
Map of the area where the shooting happened