PHOENIX — Detectives from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (ADPS) have identified the gunman involved in last night’s shooting along State Route 87 as 36-year-old James David Walker of San Tan Valley. Later today, Walker will be booked into the 4th Avenue Jail in downtown Phoenix on the following charges:
-Aggravated Assault
-Endangerment
-Attempted Homicide
-Armed Robbery
-Theft of Means of Transportation
-Possession of Dangerous Drugs
-Additional charges are pending
Police say there are 13 victims and that six vehicles were struck by gunfire. This includes a ADPS Trooper whose vehicle was shot several times.
On May 24th at 8:25 p.m., ADPS received calls from citizens on SR 87 just south of Shea Boulevard that they were being shot at by a male subject.
As troopers arrived on scene, they found one victim who had a grazing wound to his head. He sought his own medical attention. His vehicle’s engine caught fire from the gunshots.
An additional victim was struck in the leg as he traveled SR-87 and drove to the Ft. McDowell Casino for help. This victim was transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect drove to a gas station where he car-jacked a vehicle at gunpoint and fled northbound on SR 87. During a search for suspect, a trooper started receiving gunfire into his patrol vehicle. He was not injured.
Three hours later the stolen car was found in a ditch off SR 87 near milepost 201.
With the help of the Mesa Police Helicopter, and ADPS SWAT, the suspect was located lying on the ground about a half mile south of the stolen vehicle.
ADPS is taking the lead investigative role in this case. It is also concurrently being investigated by Fort McDowell Police, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI.
