Arizona officer fatally shot
Suspect captured but Nogales policeman fatally wounded
NOGALES, Ariz. — A police officer in the Arizona border city of Nogales was killed after he tried to stop a carjacking suspect.
Nogales police officer Jesus “Chuy” Cordova died Friday afternoon after being airlifted to a hospital in Tucson, the department said.
“We are mourning as a department and as a community,” Nogales Police Chief Roy Bermudez said.
Nogales police responded to reports of an armed carjacker around 2:40 p.m. Authorities say Cordova spotted the suspect vehicle driving away from the scene.
Cordova stopped the car. The suspect got out and opened fire, wounding Cordova.
Police say the suspect went on to carjack two more vehicles. He then fled from law enforcement on foot before being apprehended in a trailer park. He was taken into custody without incident.
Police identified the suspected shooter as David Ernesto Murillo, 28, of Tempe. They said there were no other suspects at large.
A female relative of Murillo’s abruptly hung up when reached by phone Saturday.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada told Tucson’s KGUN-TV that Cordova was a former deputy for his agency.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered that flags at all state government buildings be lowered to half-staff Monday to honor Cordova.
Ducey said Saturday in a statement that Cordova was a dedicated public servant and that his death is a reminder of the sacrifices that police officers make daily to keep their communities safe.
The governor also said he extended his prayers and condolences to Cordova’s family. and that the state mourns the officer’s death.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, a Tuesday funeral has been set for officer Rogelio Santander, who was killed in another shooting during a confrontation with a suspected shoplifter.
Another police officer and a store employee were injured in the April 27 shooting at a Home Depot store in northern Dallas. Police Chief U. Renee Hall says both are recovering.
Armando Luis Juarez has been charged with capital murder in the shootings.