Two in custody after shooting that left two dead, including Gila River police officer (2024)

SANTAN, AZ — A Gila River police officer is dead and another is hurt, along with four other individuals after a shooting broke out early Saturday morning in the Gila River Indian Community.

Gila River police say around 2 a.m., they were called to a home in the Santan area for a reported disturbance.

VIDEO: Procession for fallen Gila River Officer Joshua Brieseto Valley of the Sun cemetery

As officers worked to address the issue, which involved a large crowd, someone fired multiple gunshots.

A total of two Gila River officers were injured along with four other people at the scene.

All six people were taken to local hospitals with various degrees of injuries.

One of the officers, identified by officials as Joshua Briese, later died of his injuries.

The department says Officer Briese had been with the force for less than a year and was still field training. In a post on X Saturday night, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said that Briese was a former ADCRR officer.

The second injured officer, identified at this time as Officer Bustamante, has since been released from the hospital. Friday night, Gila River PD said he attended a private memorial for Officer Briese Thursday.

Police say at least one of the four other individuals, identified as Alicen Apkaw by the Gila River Indian Community Governor on Monday died from her injuries. Specific conditions of other injuries were not immediately available.

According to the FBI, two people were taken into custody Saturday. They have only been identified as two males, one an adult and the other a juvenile. Both are receiving medical care for injuries they received during the shooting.

The exact circ*mstances leading to the shooting are unknown.

Gila River police and the FBI are investigating the shooting.

Officials are asking the public to contact the Gila River Police Department if anyone has any information regarding the shooting. The department can be reached at 520-562-7144.

WATCH: A procession occurred Monday morning for fallen officer Briese

Procession for fallen Gila River Police Officer Joshua Briese

On Monday, Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis shared a new statement:

"The past three days have been among the most emotionally trying times we have experienced as a Community. As we grieve the loss of Officer Joshua Briese, our Community also mourns the horrific loss of Alicen Apkaw, 23, who succumbed to injuries from gunfire. My condolences and prayers go out to Alicen’s family, her many friends, and to everyone whose life she touched.

I spent time with Alicen's mother, father and siblings at the hospital, and I spoke to them again today. They told me how much Alicen loved her family, and how much they want unity, positivity, and peace to come from this tragedy. Alicen worked for the Community's San Tan casino in our housekeeping department, where her work family also is taking her loss very hard. From all I have learned about Alicen since her death, she was a beloved daughter and sister, a loyal friend and co-worker, fast to laugh, hard working, joyous and supportive. To lose a young woman like Alicen, in the prime of her life, is a loss I can only describe as devastating.

I want to thank all those who have reached out to the Community during the past days to express their support and condolences. We greatly appreciate your support in this difficult time. We know you all appreciate that this remains a sensitive matter for us here, and that this remains a law enforcement matter. Our Community government has come together to begin to craft a path forward and has already taken steps to protect public safety here on Community land. In the meantime, we will be limiting our public engagement on the matter out of respect for our bereaved families and for the investigation that is in progress. Thank you for your continued prayers and support."

Following the shooting, the Gila River Indian Community Council announced a moratorium on all sanctioned and non-sanctioned dances in the community.

The moratorium states that in 2023, ordinance changes required four chaperones to monitor dances with 50 or more people in order to enhance public safety measures. It additionally states that despite changes in 2023, the community "continues to experience criminal activity at both permitted and non-permitted dances."

The moratorium increases penalties for any violations. Penalties include revocation of homesite leases, termination of residential housing improvement program housing, civil and criminal trespass citations leading to arrest and a $5,000 fine for violations that do not result in bodily injury and a $10,000 fine for any violation that results in a bodily injury.

Briese's father was also a police officer. According to records, his father also died in the line of duty while responding to a car accident in 2006.

Sebastian Pena, who knew Briese, says Briese was inspired by his dad to join law enforcement.

"If he was sure about something, it's that he wanted to follow in his dad's steps," said Pena. "Being a good cop, it was the number one thing he always prioritized."

Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis released this statement Saturday morning:

"Early this morning, I learned there was a serious shooting incident in the Community with multiple gunshot victims, including two Gila River Police Department officers and as many as four Community members at the scene. While the facts are being investigated by the FBI and GRPD, I have been told that one of our officers – Officer Joshua Briese – died in the line of duty as a result of his injuries. Our second officer remains in serious, but stable condition after surgery.

At least one Community member died as well. All the injured are being treated at local hospitals.

We are coordinating closely with law enforcement to make sure we have a comprehensive understanding of what happened here.

I know I speak for our entire Community when I say that we grieve for our fallen and injured police officers and every Community member touched by such tragic violence. Nothing cuts deeper than a life cut short. We will pray for our officers and their families, and for every Community member, every loved one, and every family impacted by what happened this morning.

As we await further facts, our focus will be on finding a path to healing from this tragic incident.

Various police agencies and officials across the state released statements regarding Briese's death.

Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry

"With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of Officer Joshua Briese of the Gila River Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as to the second officer injured in this tragic incident. Officer Briese, a former ADCRR officer, thank you for your dedicated service. Rest in peace."

Cochise County Sheriff's Office

"'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children under God.'

Our Cochise County family shares in your sadness and our prayers are with Officer Briese's family, friends, and loved ones. With heavy hearts we stand with you and please know we are here if you need backup."

Attorney General Kris Mayes

"My heart is with the family and colleagues of Officer Joshua Briese of the Gila River Police Department. Officer Briese was tragically killed early this morning. Another officer was also injured — my thoughts are with them and their family as well as we hope for a swift recovery."

Parker Police Department

"Yesterday morning Gila River Police Officer Joshua Briese was killed in the line of duty. Another officer was also shot and is recovering in the hospital. Please keep them and their families, blood and blue, in your thoughts and prayers."

Oro Valley Police Department

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of Officer Joshua Briese. May we never forget those who gave all. Rest easy hero, a job well done. We have the watch."

Holbrook Police Department

"We offer condolences to the Gila River Police Department and our prayers to the community and the victims’ families."

Marana Police Department

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Briese’s family and the Gila River Police Department. Rest easy Officer, we’ve got it from here."

Flagstaff Police Department

"We are saddened to hear of the passing of Officer Joshua Briese from the Gila River Police Department. He lost his life in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, loved ones, and fellow Officers. May he rest in peace."

Surprise Police Department

"The Surprise Police Department extends our sincerest condolences to the Gila River Police Department and those who knew and loved Officer Joshua Briese. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time."

Scottsdale Police Department

"We are deeply saddened about the passing of Officer Joshua Briese from the Gila River Police Department, who lost his life in the line of duty.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and fellow officers during this difficult time."

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell

"My heart is heavy as I learn of the passing of Officer Joshua Briese. Words fail to adequately express the outrage we all feel at the news of this senseless tragedy. My prayers go out to the officer's family and friends, his extended family at the Gila River Police Department, and the Gila River Indian Community.

The fact that Joshua's father, David, also gave his life in the line of duty adds to the incalculable debt we owe to their family. I continue to pray for the recovery of the other injured officer."

Phoenix Police Department

"We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Officer Joshua Briese from the Gila River Police Department, who lost his life in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and the department during this difficult time."

Navajo Police Department

"The Navajo Police Department wishes to express our heartfelt condolences to the Gila River Police Department and family of Officer Joshua Briese, who lost his life while on duty this morning. We stand in solidarity with the department and our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Briese's family and loved ones during this time."

Arizona Department of Public Safety

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues at the Gila River Police Department following the death of Officer Joshua Briese in the line of duty this morning. Officer Briese was fatally wounded while responding to a disturbance at a home in Santan, in the Gila River Indian Community. AZDPS extends our deepest condolences to Officer Briese’s family, colleagues and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We also send our best wishes for a full recovery to the second GRPD officer injured in this tragic incident."

Goodyear Police Department

"The Goodyear Police Department is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Officer Joshua Briese of the Gila River Police Department. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time."

FBI Phoenix

"FBI Phoenix mourns the loss of Officer Joshua Briese who lost his life in the line of duty. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues."

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

"Sheriff Skinner and the entire team at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office mourns with the Gila River Police Department on the loss of Officer Joshua Brieses; our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire agency.

We are also praying for the full recovery of Gila River’s other officer injured during the incident."

Northern Arizona University Police Department

"Our hearts and thoughts are with you Gila River Police Department."

Chandler Police Department

"With heavy hearts, we join the Gila River Police Department in mourning the loss of Officer Joshua Briese, a dedicated brother in service. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who knew him."

Ajo Fire Department

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gila River Police Department, Officer Briese’s family and friends, and the Gila River Indian Community. Rest in Paradise Sir."

Page Police Department

"The Page Police Department sends prayers to the Gila River Police Department after one of their officers was shot and killed, and another officer was shot and wounded while investigating a domestic disturbance. We ask that everyone keep the officers, their families, and the Gila River Police Department in your thoughts and prayers."

Gilbert Police Department

"Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Gila River Police Department Officer Joshua Briese who lost his life in the line of duty during an overnight shooting that left a second officer injured.

We stand with our fellow brothers and sisters at Gila River PD during this difficult time. Officer Briese will never be forgotten."

Coolidge Police Department

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Joshua Briese, who lost his life in the line of duty today. Our prayers are also with the second officer injured during this incident.

We grieve this tragic loss with our brothers and sisters at the Gila River Police Department.

Rest in peace sir."

Apache Junction Police Department

"Our hearts weigh heavily as we join the Gila River Police Department in paying tribute to Officer Joshua Briese, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Our deepest sympathies go out to his colleagues and loved ones. Officer Briese, we express our gratitude for your service. May you rest in peace."

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