Tribal officer in metro Phoenix fatally shot

PHOENIX - A police officer for an American Indian community in eastern metropolitan Phoenix was fatally shot early Saturday during a traffic stop.

FBI spokesman Perryn Collier says the officer for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community was shot after he made contact with people in the vehicle.

Salt River police spokesman Vicente Cendejas says the death marks the first time that an officer in the community's police department was killed in the line of duty.

Two suspects are in custody.

Investigators are looking for a third person who is considered a witness in the case.

It's unknown whether the officer returned fire or the reason why the officer pulled over the vehicle.

The officer was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The officer has not been identified.

Upcoming Events