NORTHEAST
PHOENIX – No one was seriously injured, but one man is
in custody resulting from an exchange of gunfire with
police near the intersection of Tatum Boulevard and Pinnacle
Peak Road.
Phoenix
Police Department officers responded to 5260 E. Patrick
Lane just after 9 p.m. Monday when the man, later identified
as Edward Nickel, 42, was reportedly trying to commit
suicide and was holding a gun to his head. The call was
placed by family members, according to a department press
release.
When
officers entered the garage area of the residence in an
attempt to stop the suspect from killing himself, Nickel
allegedly assaulted one of the officers and ran back into
the house. Officers who attempted to follow were then
fired upon by Nickel, the release states.
According
to police, two officers returned fire, followed by several
exchanges of gunfire. No one was struck by any bullets
and the officers backed out of the house to set up containment.
Members
of Phoenix PD’s Special Assignments and the Rapid Deployment
units responded to the scene along with a K‑9 unit.
Nickel later came outside but continued to be uncooperative,
the press release states. He eventually was taken into
custody by officers and the K‑9 unit. Nickel received
minor injuries in the process and was taken to a local
hospital.
The
police say Nickel is facing “a range of possible charges,”
but so far he is being held only on “numerous counts of
aggravated assault on police officers.”
Police
Spokesman Andy Hill said the department would have no
further comment on the incident at this time.
