{"id":127240,"date":"2020-02-17T17:30:24","date_gmt":"2020-02-18T01:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=127240"},"modified":"2020-02-17T18:16:55","modified_gmt":"2020-02-18T02:16:55","slug":"arizona-tribal-officer-killed-in-confrontation-near-hon-dah-casino","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/arizona-tribal-officer-killed-in-confrontation-near-hon-dah-casino\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Tribal Officer Killed in Confrontation Near Hon-Dah Casino"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Arizona police officer and a violent armed suspect were both killed early Monday during gunfire near the Hon-Dah Resort Casino in Pinetop, Navajo County. The fallen White Mountain Apache Tribe officer was identified by multiple sources as David Kellywood.<\/p>\n

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White Mountain Apache Tribe Police Officer David Kellywood died in the line of duty Monday during an armed confrontation with a suspect near Pinetop, Arizona’s Hon-Dah Resort Casino. The unnamed suspect was also killed. (Image: AZCentral.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The confrontation took place in the Pinetop-Lakeside area in Navajo County, based on initial reports. It is largely a sparsely occupied setting, except for the gaming property.<\/p>\n

Police responded to the scene after getting notified at about 1 am Monday that shots were fired. A description was released for a possible suspect, according to a statement from the Navajo County Sheriff\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n

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The first responding officer spotted a man matching the description given in the initial call. The suspect– who has not been named–immediately engaged the officer in a struggle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

During the altercation, the officer was shot, the sheriff\u2019s statement said.<\/p>\n

A second police officer arrived a short time later. He shot the suspect, because the second officer was \u201cfearing for his life and the public\u2019s safety,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n

Both Officer Kellywood and the suspect were taken to a local hospital, where both were pronounced dead.<\/p>\n

The Phoenix office of the FBI<\/a> has taken over the shooting investigation.<\/p>\n

It is unclear if the unnamed suspect had been at the casino that is owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe before the shooting. The venue closes at 1 a.m. on Sunday night into Monday morning.<\/p>\n

Eulogies for Fallen Officer<\/h2>\n

As news of the fatal shooting reached the office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican, he released a tweet:<\/p>\n

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Arizona mourns the loss of White Mountain Apache Police Officer David Kellywood. This tragedy is a reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face every day. Our prayers are with Officer Kellywood\u2019s family and the entire White Mountain Apache community. #RIP<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/X2rrDHWHCV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Doug Ducey (@dougducey) February 17, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n