On Saturday, June 1, 2024 a shooting incident in the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona resulted in the deaths of Officer Joshua Briese and an unidentified civilian, with another officer and three civilians wounded.
The FBI confirmed on Sunday, June 2 that two suspects, an adult male, and a juvenile male, have been taken into custody and are receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the altercation.
The Gila River Police Department received a 911 call about a disturbance at a teenager’s birthday party at a home in the village of Santan, located on the reservation in District Four of the Gila River Indian Community, around 2 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found a large crowd and were met with gunfire. Six people, including Officer Briese, were struck by bullets.
Briese, 23, a rookie officer still in field training with less than a year on the force, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Another officer, whose name has not been released, remains in serious but stable condition. Three injured civilians are recovering in the hospital, while one of the original four wounded civilians later died.
Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, conveyed profound sadness over the incident, stating that the entire community mourns the loss and injuries of their police officers and others affected by the violence.
The FBI and Gila River PD are jointly investigating the incident. Once completed, the case will be handed over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona for a charging decision.
Briese’s father, Deputy Dave Briese, also previously lost his life while on duty in a 2006 car accident. The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office extended their sympathies, noting that Dave and Josh passed away serving their community and doing what they loved.
The community has taken immediate steps in response to the violence. A temporary moratorium on dances has been enacted, and penalties for trespassing and disorderly conduct have been increased. This measure aims to prevent further incidents as the community processes the grief and shock of this event.
The suspects’ names have not been disclosed by authorities, and their motives remain unknown. “Our hearts and prayers are with these police officers, their families, and everyone impacted by this incident,” said the Gila River Police Department in a statement. The incident highlights the dangers law enforcement officers face daily and the profound impact such events have on their communities.