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Man arrested after allegedly shooting Phoenix police officer near 7th and Southern avenues

Officer was released from the hospital Saturday afternoon
Posted: 9:59 AM, Mar 24, 2023
Updated: 2023-03-27 21:08:24-04
Joseph Lopez
7th avenue broadway police shooting
7th avenue and broadway officer hurt

PHOENIX — Phoenix police have identified the man who was taken into custody in connection to a shooting Friday morning that left an officer hospitalized.

On Saturday afternoon, police announced that 29-year-old Joseph Lopez has been booked in connection to the shooting near 7th and Southern avenues just before 10 a.m.

VIDEO: Officials provide a second update on the incident:

Phoenix police provide a second update after an officer was shot

Multiple law enforcement agencies joined in the search Friday for a suspect who shot an officer in what the department called an "unprovoked attack."

Phoenix police say during the search, Lopez entered a home near 11th and Atlanta avenues.

According to police, less lethal rounds were used to bring the suspect down from the roof where he was seen just before 5 p.m. He was later taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

It is still unknown how the man was able to enter the home or if he is known in the neighborhood.

VIDEO: Phoenix PD provided an update on this incident earlier in the day:

Phoenix police give update on officer-involved shooting

Police documents say the incident started when officers received a call about a collision involving a vehicle that crashed into a home in the area. The caller said the driver of the vehicle fled the scene and was believed to have a rifle.

When the first officer arrived at the scene, she saw the suspect matching the description. The suspect started shooting at her in an "ambush" attack, according to Phoenix Police Sergeant Brian Bower.

The officer was able to get to safety and provide additional information to other officers that were already on the way to the scene.

She was shot in the hip and suffered injuries to her face from shrapnel. She was taken to a hospital for treatment and was released from the hospital Saturday afternoon.

The officer was later identified as 26-year-old Officer Morgan Bullis. Bullis has been with the department for less than a year.

The 100 Club of Arizona President and CEO Angela Harrolle says the organization has already provided financial assistance of $1,500 to the officer for her recovery and will continue to support her every month during the recovery up to $18,000.

A second officer was bitten by a dog while at the scene and was also treated at a hospital, according to multiple sources.

Nearly two dozen schools in the area were placed on lockdown due to police activity during the search for the suspect.

Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to contact police or call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego issued a statement following the shooting saying, "My team and I are closely monitoring this critical incident that left one of our Phoenix Police Officers wounded. This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers our officers face every day in the line of duty. My heart goes out to the officer and her family as she recovers."

Lopez had been released from prison less than a year ago, serving six years for a felony.

When he was released, prison records show he was classified as having the highest level of internal risk. He also had an extensive disciplinary history during his multiple stints in prison.

Joseph Lopez

Police documents say Lopez admitted to taking pills and drinking alcohol before the incident. He also said he “could not remember” if he shot the officer.