Mesa Police arrest suspect involved in shooting with officer

MESA, Ariz. (FOX 10) - Mesa Police arrested a suspect involved in a shooting with an officer early Monday morning.

Police responded to a disturbance call around 12:24 a.m. near Baseline and Ellsworth Roads. It was reported a man was causing a disturbance in the pool area acting erratically.

When an officer arrived, he found the suspect in a parking lot, and according to court documents released Monday afternoon, the suspect admitted to smoking marijuana. The officer discovered a handgun on the suspect, and at the same time, the suspect ran away and the officer saw the suspect reach for the small of his back with his right hand and draw the gun. Shots were later fired by the officer.

Police say both the officer and the suspect were unharmed.

According to a statement released by Mesa Police officials Monday afternoon, the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Ryan Coley Austin, was arrested at around 5:45 a.m. in the 8900 block of E. Guadalupe. Austin, according to court documents, has prior felony convictions in a eastern U.S. state, and is banned from owning or acquiring firearms or ammunition. He is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage, burglary, and weapons possession.