MCSO Deputy Ruben Garcia resting well, wiggling fingers

PHOENIX - Authorities say a Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputy, who was shot earlier this month, is resting well and was able to wiggle his fingers.

MCSO deputy Ruben Garcia was shot in Peoria last Tuesday morning by 54-year-old Donald Miller, Sr.

On Monday, Garcia was resting well after his Sunday surgery and has moved to a reclining chair where he is more comfortable, MCSO said.

He was also able to follow orders when a doctor asked him to wiggle his fingers, MCSO said, adding that Garcia tried to speak even with his jaw wired shut due to reconstruction.

ABC15 was last told Garcia was in critical yet stable condition.

The incident that injured Garcia began around midnight Tuesday with a call from a woman concerned about her ex-boyfriend's welfare.

She gave MCSO a vehicle description and an "attempt to locate" was called out to find the silver one-ton pickup truck and driver.

Garcia reportedly spotted the vehicle near 83rd Avenue and Deer Valley Road and attempted a traffic stop to talk to Miller. They stopped in a shopping center where witnesses reported hearing gunfire before seeing the pickup take off.

Peoria police Officer Amanda Jacinto said officers arrived and provided help for Garcia. He was taken to a Valley hospital by ground ambulance.

After the shooting, Peoria officers caught up with the pickup truck which headed into a desert area near 92nd Avenue and Deer Valley Road.

As officers tried to stop the suspect vehicle, Miller began firing shots at officers, who returned fire, striking the pickup truck.

The vehicle finally stopped and officers began shouting commands at Miller, who was not responding.

Jacinto said a SWAT unit was called out to check the truck and found Miller deceased.

Whether the suspect was killed by gunfire from officers or a self-inflicted gunshot wound remains under investigation.