Officer opens fire on suspect

A Peoria police officer fired shots after a suspect pointed a gun at him late Sunday night, police said.

From 11:40 to 11:55 p.m., Peoria police responded to multiple calls from the area of 75th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.

The first two calls came in at about the same time, one from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office advising that a man was threatening suicide and the second advising of an attempted carjacking in the area of 13200 North 79th Avenue, police said.

A short time later a third call came in saying the suspect had pointed a rifle at several subjects at a house as well as numerous calls saying the suspect was driving around waving a gun at people.

The fourth call came in to the 911 center advising of another attempted carjacking in the 14300 block of North 75th Lane and a fifth call of a possible fight at 7300 W. Thunderbird Road.

A Peoria officer responded to the last call and saw the suspect's vehicle, a blue Ford Expedition, in the front parking lot of the Kentucky Fried Chicken pat 7541 W. Thunderbird Road.

As the officer exited his vehicle the suspect exited his and pointed a rifle at the officer, officials said.

The officer fired a single shot, and the suspect fell to the ground, police said. The suspect started to get up and again pointed the rifle at the officer, who fired a second shot at the suspect.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Banner Thunderbird Hospital for treatment of a head injury he received by hitting his head on the protective screen inside a police car.

The officer involved, David Perron, has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure, police said.

The criminal investigation is being conducted by the Peoria Police Department Violent Crimes Unit and a concurrent administrative investigation is being conducted by the Peoria Police Professional Standards Unit.