Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Steven Laurence Stone, 39, of Safford, is taken into custody after allegedly brandishing a firearm at a Safford officer. The officer shot Stone one time.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – An officer-involved shooting that took place in the parking lot of Firth Park on Saturday morning is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
According to a release from Safford Police Chief Brian Avila, officers were dispatched at about 9:55 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, to a domestic dispute involving a man who had displayed a firearm.
A Safford officer came upon the suspect, later identified as Steven Laurence Stone, 39, of Safford, in the parking lot of Firth Park just east of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce and began giving him commands. Stone then allegedly brandished his weapon toward the officer. The officer then discharged his weapon one time, striking Stone non-fatally. Stone was then taken into custody without further incident.
At the time of the shooting, finals for the area summer swim teams were being held at the Safford Pool at Firth Park. The incident occurred so quickly and offhandedly that most people thought a car backfired and had no idea of the police action until afterward when the area was sealed off with crime scene tape.
Stone was transported to the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center for treatment. Thatcher and Pima Police Departments joined the Graham County Sheriff’s Office to assist the SPD at the scene. The case remains under investigation.
