Escaped inmate shot and killed by an officer is ID’d
Glendale police have identified the escaped inmate who was fatally shot by an officer Tuesday evening after firing shots while trying to avoid arrest.
Skyler Martin, 23, was serving a 7.5year sentence for aggravated DUI when he left a supervised Arizona Department of Corrections work crew at the Maricopa County Animal Shelter in February.
Police worked with the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force to find Martin at a home in south Phoenix Tuesday.
Around 5:30 p.m., as police attempted to contact the man, officers saw Martin run out the back door of the home and jump a fence on the south side of Baseline Road. A Glendale K-9 officer and his K-9 dog were guarding the other side, police said.
Martin brandished a gun and fired at the two, striking the dog. The officer returned fire and hit Martin, who died at the scene, despite first-aid efforts from Phoenix firefighters.
The police K-9 dog was taken to a local animal hospital for treatment and remained in stable as of Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Glendale police say Martin had a criminal history that included drug possession and burglary.
Sgt. John Roth, a spokesman for the Glendale Police Department, told The
Arizona Republic that the officer has been placed on administrative leave as is department policy while the shooting was reviewed.
The department has not yet identified the K-9 officer who fired or the dog that was wounded.
The Arizona Department of Corrections issued a brief statement commending the officers who sought Martin.