Skip to main content

AZ man fatally shot after planning to ambush deputies

An armed and intoxicated man prepared to ambush the Arizona police after his wife called 911 for help. The man later died in an exchange of gunfire with the deputies.

Sheriff's deputies fatally shot a man during an exchange of gunfire outside his home in a remote area north of Phoenix after his wife warned in a 911 call he might try to ambush them, the Yavapai County sheriff's office said Saturday.

The sheriff's office said it has asked the Arizona Department of Public Safety to investigate Friday night's officer-involved shooting of Thomas Henzler in Black Canyon City.

Deputies responded to the home about 45 miles from Phoenix after Henzler's wife reported at about 10:30 p.m. that he was intoxicated and had fired a bullet into the ceiling, sheriffs said in a statement.

TEXAS MOM SENTENCED TO LIFE AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO MURDER OF BEDRIDDEN DAUGHTER SHE LEFT ALONE TO GO PARTY

She told the 911 dispatcher her husband knew she would call police and had begun to gather ammunition and set up an ambush on the only access point to the house, a bridge with a remote-operated gate, the statement said.

The dispatcher also told deputies she heard Henzler telling his wife in the background that he would shoot at law officers to "do a suicide by cop," it added.

LEE ZELDIN, NEW YORK GOP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, ATTACKED AT CAMPAIGN STOP

Fearing a hostage situation, deputies requested a SWAT team and DPS called in aerial support before the woman was able to safely exit and open the gate, according to the statement.

About an hour later, Henzler came outside and was walking toward deputies when he opened fire. Deputies shot back, striking Henzler, who later died, the sheriff's office said.

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.