PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Tragedy struck in the early hours of a Saturday morning in the Gila River Indian Community when a disturbance call led to a shooting, resulting in the death of a police officer and the hospitalization of another.
The Gila River Police Department responded to a 911 call around 2 a.m. reporting a disturbance at a home in Santan, District 4 of the community. Upon arrival, officers were met with a large crowd and multiple gunshots being fired, which resulted in two officers and four others being struck by the gunfire.
One of the officers, identified as Joshua Briese, succumbed to his injuries, while the second officer remains in serious but stable condition. Notably, Briese was the son of a fallen Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office Deputy who also died in the line of duty years earlier.
Having served with the department for less than a year and still in field training, Briese’s untimely death has left a community in mourning. State officials, local police departments, and Governor Stephen Roe Lewis have all expressed their condolences and grief over the tragic loss.
The entire Gila River Indian Community, along with law enforcement agencies, is grappling with the aftermath of this incident. As investigations unfold, the Gila River Police Department is working in conjunction with the FBI to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
In a statement, Governor Lewis articulated the deep sense of loss and sorrow felt by the community, emphasizing the importance of supporting the officers’ families and all those impacted by the senseless violence. As the community reels from this tragedy, thoughts and prayers are extended to everyone affected by this devastating event.
As authorities strive to make sense of the events that transpired, the dedicated service and sacrifice of Officer Joshua Briese will be remembered and honored by those he served. God Speed and rest easy.