Arizona trooper in training killed, 2 hurt in shooting

An Arizona state trooper was shot and killed and two others were wounded Wednesday night after a man wrestled a gun from one of the troopers and opened fire in Avondale, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

 

Here are the latest updates:

Update 12:10 p.m. EDT July  26: Two troopers injured Wednesday in a deadly struggle with a suspect on Interstate 10 have been released from the hospital, according to authorities.

Trooper Dalin Dorris suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder while Trooper Sean Rodecap suffered unspecified injuries after responding to reports of a man throwing things at vehicles in the eastbound lanes of I-10 in Avondale. Officials said Dorris joined the Arizona Department of Public Safety in December 2005. Rodecap was hired in May 2008.

A third trooper who was shot in the attack, Tyler Edenhofer, died of his injuries, Arizona DPS Director Col. Frank Milstead said.

A man was in custody in connection with the incident on Thursday. His name was not immediately released.

Authorities continue to investigate the shooting.

Update 10:15 a.m. EDT July 26: Authorities said Thursday morning that a third Arizona state trooper also suffered injuries in a deadly shooting Wednesday night on I-10.

The trooper was identified as Sean Rodecap, 32, KPHO reported. According to the news station, Rodecap's injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

Update 10:05 a.m. EDT July 26: Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, identified the slain trooper as Tyler Edenhofer on Thursday morning. Milstead said Edenhofer was still in training after graduating in May from the State Trooper Academy.

“The DPS family is in mourning,” Milstead said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Lives have been shattered and ruined, and we’re all in a little bit of a state of shock this morning.”

Edenhofer and Trooper Dalin Dorris were injured Wednesday after responding to a report of a man throwing things at vehicles on Interstate 10, Milstead said. Witnesses told police the man was going in and out of the roadway.

One trooper initially responded to the incident. Milstead said two other troopers later arrived, including Edenhofer. The man struggled with authorities when they attempted to take him into custody, officials said.

“During the struggle, one of the troopers lot his firearm to the subject,” Milstead said. “The subject fired at least two rounds from the duty weapon, striking Officer Dalin Dorris in the upper right trap, a through-and-through wound.”

Dorris was continuing to recover Thursday.

“He’s in good spirits, considering the circumstances,” Milstead said.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

Update 6:55 a.m. EDT July 26: According to KNXV, the Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers responded to a report of a "vehicle behaving erratically on Interstate 10." They confronted the suspect, who grabbed one trooper's gun and opened fire, authorities said.

 

One trooper died, while the second, who was shot in the shoulder, was injured, the DPS said.

KNXV's Megan Thompson tweeted that the slain trooper "had just graduated from the academy about 2 months ago" and "was finishing up his field training."

 

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