By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY — A woman died late Sunday night in an officer-involved shooting following a welfare check that escalated into a confrontation with deputies from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began around 9:12 p.m. on Dec 28, when dispatch received a welfare check call regarding an elderly woman’s granddaughter, described as approximately 5’2”, 110 pounds, with reddish-brown hair, possibly wearing black leggings and a sweatshirt. The caller reported the granddaughter was threatening self-harm and might be mentally unstable and potentially intoxicated. She was believed to be at a friend’s residence before heading to a location on South 14th Avenue.
Dispatch notes indicated the woman had a firearm and had threatened a shootout if law enforcement attempted contact. An earlier interaction with deputies reportedly involved her being upset over an impending order of protection.
Deputies established a perimeter and staged nearby. Around 11:44 p.m., an officer reported the woman approached, stating she wanted to be shot, with her hands in her pockets and claiming to be armed. She was described as standing in the middle of the road, being belligerent.
Minutes later, shots were fired. The woman was struck, went down, but reportedly still had the gun in her hand. An armored vehicle (MRAP) was deployed to secure the scene and remove the weapon. Life-saving measures, including CPR, were attempted, but the woman was pronounced deceased.
No deputies were injured in the incident.
Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred confirmed the woman died in what he described as an officer-involved shooting. He expressed relief that his deputies were unharmed but deep regret over the outcome.
“I feel horrible about the whole entire, you know,” Allred said. “I just got that our guys are good, but having said that, I just wish it had never happened to where we weren’t in this spot to begin with, you know, for her family and for her, and for us.”
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has taken over the investigation, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in the state.
No further details, including the woman’s identity, have been released pending the ongoing probe and full notification to the family.
Other agencies, including the Thatcher Police Department, arrived after the shots were fired, but the initial response and shooting involved only Graham County Sheriff’s Office personnel.
The shooting remains under investigation.
