Gila River police officer killed, 1 hospitalized in shooting

GILA RIVER, AZ (AZFamily) — A Gila River police officer has died and another remains in the hospital after a shooting early Saturday morning.

Around 2 a.m., Gila River Public Safety received a 911 call regarding a disturbance at a home in Santan, located in District 4 of the Gila River Indian Community.

Gila River Police Department (GRPD) officers arrived on scene to find a disturbance involving a large crowd, and several shots were fired. Two police officers were hit by gunfire as well as four people present at the scene.

The six injured were taken to hospital. Sadly, Gila River Police Officer Joshua Briese died from his injuries. The second officer remains in serious but stable condition. Another person was pronounced dead, but their name has not been released.

Officer Briese had been with the department for less than a year and was still undergoing field training.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to these officers, their families and everyone affected by this tragic incident,” the department posted on Facebook.

The Gila River Police Department is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct an investigation.

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