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Suspect arrested after allegedly shooting at officer, causes crash near I-17 and Greenway Road

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Posted at 10:01 AM, Apr 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-04-17 11:12:44-04

PHOENIX — A suspect is in custody after Phoenix police officials say he shot at an officer and caused a three-vehicle crash near Interstate 17 and Greenway Road Friday.

Phoenix police say that at around 9 a.m., an officer riding a police motorcycle saw a blue sedan pass him at a high rate of speed.

As the officer tried to stop the vehicle, the driver, identified as 29-year-old Colin Downs, reportedly pointed and fired a handgun at the officer.

Downs then drove away on I-17 and exited the freeway at Greenway Road, causing a crash with a large rental truck and a white SUV, authorities said.

More officers arrived at the scene and detained the suspect, who was taken to a local hospital for treatment. According to police, the suspect's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Three passengers from the rental truck were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

No officers were injured during the incident.

Downs was arrested and is facing multiple charges that include aggravated assault.

Aerial video from the incident Friday showed multiple police units at scenes near I-17 at both Greenway Road and Deer Valley Road. The Department of Public Safety said troopers were also on scene assisting with the investigation.

I-17 southbound was shut down at Deer Valley Road for several hours due to the investigation but reopened just before 2 p.m.