Police: Man drew rifle on Phoenix officer before manhunt

A massive manhunt and standoff in west Phoenix on Thursday afternoon began when one of the burglars police were chasing emerged from an apartment complex, pointed a rifle at a Phoenix police officer and ordered the officer on to the ground, police said.

Police shot one of the two suspected burglars at an apartment complex near 69th Avenue and Indian School Road, a 30-year-old man who remained hospitalized Friday and was expected to be arrested upon his release, but officers are continuing to seek the second man involved in the burglary.

Police said officers saw two men burglarizing a house near 88th Avenue and Thomas Road at about 10 a.m. Thursday about 10 a.m. and started following the men.

The two got out of their vehicle at an apartment complex near 69th Avenue and Indian School Road, police said, and as the officer approached the abandoned vehicle to turn off the ignition one of the men pointed a rifle at the officer and ordered him to get on the ground.

The officer then took cover behind the suspect's car and one of the men fired several rounds at the 42-year-old officer, a 10-year police veteran, who was struck by bullet fragments, police said.

After fleeing further into the apartment complex, the suspect ran into another officer who shot at the man after he pointed his rifle at that officer as well, according to police.

Police said the suspect then forced his way into an apartment that had a woman and a child inside as police surrounded the apartment, forcing the man to run out while shooting.

Two officers returned fire and shot the suspect, police said, but police were unable to locate the second man involved in the burglary.

Police said the man is being treated for his injuries and will be arrested on a variety of offenses, including an outstanding felony arrest warrant, after he is released.

Phoenix police requested that anybody with information as to the location of the second suspect call Phoenix police officers at (602) 262-7626 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.