Police ID sergeant involved in fatal shooting

GLENDALE, AZ - Police have identified the Glendale sergeant who shot and killed a suspect early Saturday after the man opened fire at a Phoenix intersection.

Glendale police Sgt. Brent Coombs said 36-year-old Sgt. April Arredondo, a 14-year veteran of the department, was involved in the shooting at 51st Avenue and Cactus Road around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

According to Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos, 24-year-old Jerimiah Pulaski was leaving a restaurant near 59th Avenue and Greenway Road in Glendale with a friend when a person unknown to them engaged them in a conversation that turned hostile.

Martos said Pulaski retrieved a handgun and shot the male victim, who reportedly received a non-life-threatening injury.

Police said Pulaski fled the area on a motorcycle and as officers responded to the shooting scene Arredondo saw the suspect near 51st Avenue and Cactus Road.

Arredondo got Pulaski to stop and as he got off his motorcycle he opened fire on the sergeant and a citizen observer riding in the patrol vehicle, according to Martos. Martos said a number of rounds were fired at both victims.

Martos said Arredondo returned fire, striking Pulaski. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Phoenix police are investigating the officer-involved shooting and Glendale police are investigating the original shooting that took place outside the restaurant, Martos said.