Forest Service employee is fired upon, officials say
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man suspected of shooting at a U.S. Forest Service employee in the Forest Lakes area near Payson.
Monday, residents reported seeing the man near several small brush fires that had ignited in the Forest Lakes area. Officials believed the fires had been set intentionally.
Tuesday, officials said a Forest Service employee reported seeing a man of the same description pull out a handgun and fire several times at him. As the employee retreated, the man puled out a shotgun and shot more rounds at him, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Forest Lakes Fire District reported on its Facebook page that the employee came under fire when a fire crew tried to approach a “person of interest” in the fires at about 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The employee was not injured and was able to escape the area.
The gunfire took place about a quarter-mile south of Canyon Point Campground on the Mogollon Rim, located about 35 miles east of Payson and about 20 miles west of Heber.
Officials have closed a 2-square-mile area and evacuated the campground while they search for the man.
Tonto National Forest and ApacheSitgreaves National Forests officials have now restricted the movement of fire crews in the area. This will limit their ability to respond to fires, at least while public-safety officers search for the shooter, according to Tonto National Forest spokesperson Carrie Templin.
Drivers were advised to not drive south of State Route 260. Evacuation for residents living in the area was suggested, but not required.
Sheriff’s Office officials said several agencies are assisting them, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety SWAT team, the FBI SWAT team, the Gila County and Navajo County sheriff’s offices and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Officials described the man as 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a camouflaged backpack, blue jeans, tan boots and a blue hat. He is believed to be armed with a shotgun and handgun.