Arizona State Police body camera footage shows a standoff between officers and the suspect, with police claiming to have fired more than 400 shots during the hours-long interrogation.
The standoff ultimately ended with 38-year-old Jesus Mendivil, now deceased, allegedly turning the gun on himself and killing himself, according to the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team (PRCIT). Said KOLD 13. According to the paper, he allegedly unloaded more than 400 bullets at the Tucson Police Department (TPD). According to reports, the incident occurred on March 10 this year.
KOLD 13 reports that officers searched Mandyville because he was a suspect in a gang assault investigation. (Related article: Naked man prompts confrontation with police for hours)
When five hours of police negotiations failed to get the suspect to come forward, a SWAT team searched the home. That’s when Mendivil reportedly began firing relentlessly at the officers.
Hey @DonutOperator Check out this SNAFU…Arizona suspect fired 400 bullets, deputies say https://t.co/JkZhAs1RGR via @YouTube
— Jessica Elliott (@eziogirl5) April 29, 2024
Officers used non-lethal tactics to try to stop the shots coming from inside the home, but Mendivil allegedly continued firing, KOLD 13 reported.
A PRCIT spokesperson told KOLD 13 that “further hours of negotiation efforts were attempted using various tools to facilitate communication, many of which were nullified by Mendivil’s shooting.” he said.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) reportedly assisted in the evacuation of nearby civilians, according to PRCIT. Several police and civilian vehicles were struck by bullets during the ordeal. (Related: Police release dramatic video of shootout that left 15-year-old girl and armed father dead)
TPD reportedly called in Arizona State Police to demolish part of the exterior wall in order to gain access to the home.
Once that was done, officers found Mendivil, alive and allegedly in possession of two handguns and a rifle, KOLD 13 reported. He then allegedly shot himself in the head with one of his weapons, PRCIT told the news agency. Mendivil was reportedly taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
PRCIT is managing the investigation with support from PCSD, the report said. TPD is reportedly conducting an internal investigation.
