Officer dies after chase, shootout
Pursuit ends at Gilbert dealership; another officer in critical condition
A Chandler police officer was killed and a Gilbert police officer was in critical condition after a pursuit ended in a shootout at a Gilbert car dealership late Thursday night, police say.
According to a news release from the Gilbert Police Department, the incident began in Eloy about 10 p.m. Thursday when a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputy began pursuing a truck and the driver started shooting toward the deputy’s vehicle. Police did not release why the deputy was in pursuit of the truck.
The chase led them to Chandler after the truck’s driver drove into a Chandler Regional Airport gate, shutting the airport down. After leaving the airport, the truck’s driver drove the wrong way on Loop 202 and crashed near the Val Vista Drive ramp.
The driver got out of his truck and ran into a car dealership where he then stole a vehicle, Gilbert police said. At that time, Pinal County, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Chandler and Gilbert law enforcement officers surrounded the building.
The driver then shot a Chandler officer, a Gilbert officer and a dealership janitorial employee. Three Pinal County deputies and four DPS troopers shot at the driver before he was taken into custody and treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.
In a Facebook post, Chandler police confirmed their officer, Christopher Farrar, died from his injuries.
“Officer Farrar was struck and killed by a suspect driving a stolen vehicle earlier this evening,” the post said. Farrar was an 18-year veteran of the department.
It was unclear when the truck driver struck the officer. Police did not release further details on Friday.
The Gilbert police officer suffered a severe head injury and was in critical condition as of late Thursday night. The officer’s identity has not been released.
The dealership employee suffered minor injuries.
The San Tan Motorplex on Friday afternoon issued a statement calling the event a “tragedy.”
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Christopher Farrar and thank him for nearly two decades of service to his community,” the statement read.
It went on to wish other law enforcement officers involved a “full and speedy recovery” and thanked them for their “service and support.”
“We will continue to support the San Tan Ford team and anyone else affected by these tragic events,” the statement said.
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke released a statement late Friday morning saying that he was “heartbroken” by the shooting.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn his untimely death after nearly two decades of dedicated service in Chandler,” the statement read. “I extend my deepest condolences to the Farrar family and to our Chandler Police family, and ask the community to keep them in your prayers.”