Flagstaff Police Department
Media Release - P19-04656
Media Release - P19-04656
Officer-Involved Shooting (P19-04656)
Flagstaff, Ariz.- (April 8, 2019) a Flagstaff Police Department Officer was involved in a confrontation leading to an Officer-Involved Shooting in the 2100 block of E Route 66.
At approximately 4:07 PM, a Flagstaff Police Officer contacted an individual he knew to have a warrant for his arrest. The Officer contacted the subject who was on a bicycle, the subject was advised he had a warrant for his arrest. The officer confirmed the warrant was still valid and informed the suspect he was under arrest. An altercation ensued resulting in the officer deploying pepper spray towards the suspect after the suspect began fighting with the officer. The suspect then deployed pepper spray at the officer causing the officer’s eyesight to be severely impaired. The officer simultaneously discharged his duty weapon at the suspect once, striking the suspect in the neck area.
The suspect was provided first aid on scene by the arresting officer and his backup who had just arrived. The suspect was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for emergency medical treatment. The officer sustained minor eye injuries and received medical treatment on scene. The Northern Arizona Shoot Team is on scene, with Northern Arizona University investigators taking the lead. This investigation is on-going, and updates will be provided as further information is available.
If you can, avoid the area while the investigation continues.
For additional information, please contact the Flagstaff Police Department at (928) 774-1414.
Media Release - P19-04656
Media Release - P19-04656
Flagstaff Police Department- MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Sgt. Charles M. Hernandez II (928) 679-4108
UPDATE - Officer-Involved Shooting (P19-04656)
Flagstaff, Ariz.- (April 9, 2019) On April 8, 2019, Flagstaff Police Department Officer Nick Rubey was involved in a confrontation leading to an Officer-Involved Shooting in the 2100 block of E Route 66.
At approximately 4:07 PM, Flagstaff Police Officer Rubey, a 2 ½ year Officer, contacted an individual, identified as Matthew Dearing, 52, Flagstaff, who he knew to have a warrant for his arrest. Officer Rubey contacted Mr. Dearing, who was on a bicycle, advising Mr. Dearing that he had a warrant for his arrest. Officer Rubey confirmed the warrant was still valid and informed Mr. Dearing he was under arrest. A physical altercation ensued resulting in Officer Rubey deploying O.C spray (pepper spray) towards Mr. Dearing after he began fighting with Officer Rubey. Mr. Dearing then reached toward his waistline retrieving an item, believed to be a knife. Officer Rubey ordered Mr. Dearing to drop the knife, which Officer Rubey believed to be in Mr. Dearing’s right hand. Mr. Dearing told Officer Rubey he did not have a knife and simultaneously deployed pepper spray at Officer Rubey’s face causing his eyesight to be severely impaired. Officer Rubey discharged his duty weapon at Mr. Dearing once, striking him in the neck area.
Mr. Dearing was provided first aid on scene by Officer Rubey and Officer Devries, who had just arrived. Mr. Dearing was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for emergency medical treatment and is currently hospitalized and in police custody. Officer Rubey sustained minor eye injuries and received medical treatment on scene. The Northern Arizona Shoot Team led by Northern Arizona University investigators is conducting the investigation. Officer Rubey has been placed on Administrative Leave pending the investigation as per standard policies and procedures. Charges against Mr. Dearing are currently pending his release from the hospital.
The video associated with this incident will be uploaded and made available on the Flagstaff Police Department’s transparency page at www.fpdtransparency.com, along with response to resistance policies.
For additional information, please contact the Flagstaff Police Department at (928) 774-1414.
FPD Media Release P19-00505
FPD Media Release P19-00505
Update Media Release - Officer Involved Shooting
P19-00505
Update Media Release - Officer Involved Shooting
P19-00505
Contact: Sgt. Charles M. Hernandez II (928) 679-4108
Update - Officer-Involved Shooting
Flagstaff, Ariz.- (February 3, 2019) At approximately 9:27 a.m., two Flagstaff police officers were leaving The Guidance Center, 2187 N. Vickey Street, on an unrelated call, when an individual, identified as Russell Henry Harold, 47, Boise, Idaho, confronted the officers brandishing two knives. The confrontation escalated when Harold approached an officer having the knives raised toward the officer. As the officer backed away from Harold, he gave Harold commands to drop the knives. Harold charged the officer having a knife in each hand prompting the officer to discharge his weapon, striking Harold. Officers on scene then began providing lifesaving measures until medics arrived. Harold was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center with life threatening injuries, and later pronounced deceased. The officers involved in the incident were not injured.
The officer involved in the shooting is identified as Officer Tyler Romney, a 3 ½ year member of the Flagstaff Police Department.
The Northern Arizona Shoot Team is on scene, with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office taking the lead. This investigation is on-going and updates will be provided as further information is available.
Axon body camera recordings and still photographs have been made available on the Flagstaff Police Department’s Transparency Page. Additional information will be provided by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues. www.fpdtransparency.com.
For additional information, please contact the Flagstaff Police Department at (928) 774-1414.