GRPD officers open fire on vehicle at Vee Quiva Casino after man rams police vehicles

August 19, 2016

Thomas R. Throssell

Gila River Indian News

Gila River Police Department (GRPD) officers shot at the driver of an SUV on the evening of July 27, as non-Community member Andres Muñoz attempted to flee the scene of a drug investigation at a Vee Quiva Casino parking structure.

According to the Arizona Republic, GRPD officers approached Muñoz’s SUV after receiving a call regarding drug activity. Police said that Muñoz rammed his SUV into two GRPD police vehicles before leaving the scene. No one was injured in the incident and Munoz was arrested and booked into a Maricopa County Jail.

The Arizona Republic reported that GRPD Officer Caroline Brown provided a narrative stating their department was contacted at 11:30 p.m. concerning drug activity in the parking structure of the casino.

Officers responded to the scene and approached Muñoz’s SUV, where he appeared to be reaching for something in his vehicle.

The narrative stated that Muñoz then put his SUV into gear, attempted to back up and collided with a GRPD vehicle. He then attempted to pull forward, ramming into another police vehicle. At this point, the two officers entering the parking structure drew their weapons and shot at Muñoz’s vehicle.

After GRPD officers opened fire, the SUV came to a stop and Muñoz was arrested.

Officer Brown said that drugs and a handgun were found in Muñoz’s SUV.

According to the Arizona Republic, Brown said that the shooting was an isolated incident and that situations like this are just part of the job.

“We want to make sure our Community is safe. We try to provide that for them,” she said.