The Gila River Indian Community is reeling from a tragic shooting early Saturday morning that claimed the lives of Officer Joshua Briese and an unidentified civilian, while leaving another officer and three others wounded. The FBI reported Sunday that two suspects, an adult male and a juvenile male, are now in custody and receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.
The shooting occurred around early Saturday morning when officers responded to reports of a disturbance involving a large crowd at a home in Santan. According to the Gila River Police Department, the situation escalated quickly, and multiple gunshots were fired, resulting in the devastating outcomes.
Officer Joshua Briese, one of the six people shot during the incident, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Briese, who had been with the force for less than a year and was still undergoing field training, is remembered for his dedication and commitment to serving the community.
In a heartfelt statement, Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis expressed his deep condolences to the victims and their families. “I know I speak for our entire Community when I say that we grieve for our fallen and injured police officers and every Community member touched by such tragic violence. Nothing cuts deeper than a life cut short. We will pray for our officers and their families, and for every Community member, every loved one, and every family impacted by what happened this morning,” he said.
The unidentified civilian who was also shot during the incident was pronounced dead at the scene. Another officer remains in serious but stable condition at the hospital, while the three wounded civilians are also recuperating.
The FBI, working closely with the Gila River Police Department, continues to investigate the shooting. There is no established timeline for the investigation’s completion, but authorities have assured that the case will be handed over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona for a charging decision once all necessary evidence and information have been gathered.
The loss of Officer Briese is felt deeply within the community, particularly as it echoes a previous tragedy. Officer Briese’s father, also an officer, died in the line of duty in a car crash in 2006. This profound loss compounds the grief experienced by the Briese family.
