Authorities have officially released the name of the suspect shot and killed Sunday night near the Loop 101 and 56th Street.
A release from the Phoenix Police Department says the man killed by a Department of Public Safety trooper is 40-year-old Luis Michael Hoff.
Sources confirmed Hoff's identity to ABC15 several days ago and said he was connected with a bulletin issued to southwestern law enforcement agencies to be aware he might attempt suicide by threatening police.
DPS attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by Hoff around 10:30 p.m. after the trooper observed it speeding and driving erratically on the Loop 101 near Elliot Road. The vehicle did not stop and led authorities on a pursuit through freeways and streets in the East Valley before heading north on the Loop 101.
Several troopers placed tire deflation devices along the vehicle's path, but police said Hoff continued to flee. He exited at 64th Street where he intentionally drove at a trooper setting additional deflation devices. The trooper, who was identified as a 25-year-old with four years' experience, suffered a minor injury getting out of the way. Investigators say the suspect missed hitting the trooper by less than one foot.
Hoff re-entered the freeway and swerved into a DPS vehicle near 56th Street. Troopers surrounded Hoff, preventing him from escaping. Phoenix police say Hoff exited his vehicle with a gun in hand and raised it at a trooper.
That trooper, identified as a 34-year-old with four years' experience, responded by shooting at the suspect. Troopers provided first aid and CPR, but Hoff died at the scene.
The troopers' names have not been released.
