Officer Shoots White Supremacist Gang Suspect

Man out on bond for armed robbery

Updated: Thursday, 14 Apr 2011, 7:02 AM MDT

MESA, Ariz. - A Mesa police officer shot and wounded a suspect with known ties to a white supremacist gang while attempting to take him into custody.  The shooting occurred Wednesday night at a motel near Sossaman and Main Street. The Mesa gang task force was acting on information that an armed robbery suspect who had skipped out on a $25,000 bond was staying at the Broadview Motel.

Police said they talked to the 20-year-old suspect through the door and window, and he became angry, yelling he wasn't going back to jail. Officers said the suspect came outside and confronted officers and encouraged them to shoot him. When the suspect made a threatening move, an officer fired. Police said the man is expected to survive his injuries.

Another person inside the motel also had a warrant for their arrest, but that person was not injured. No officers were injured.