After a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent and one suspect were killed in a shootout on an Amtrak train in Tucson, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which has taken over the investigation, had no update on the suspects or their motives Tuesday.
According to Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus, the Counter Narcotics Alliance, which is comprised of local and federal agents, boarded the train for a routine spot-check for contraband like illegal weapons and narcotics when the train stopped in the city.
After stopping to talk with one man, a second opened fire on members of the task force, causing a bloody shootout.
The armed suspect was shot and reportedly fled to the train’s restroom, where he died. Authorities have not established whether he died from his wounds, or whether he took his own life. The second suspect has been apprehended.
When reached for comment about the identities of the suspects, Tucson Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Frank Magos, directed The Arizona Sun Times to the FBI.
The FBI was not forthcoming with details.
“The FBI continues to process the scene of Monday’s shooting in Tucson. We would like to thank our local and federal partners, and Amtrak for their assistance. Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, we cannot provide any further detail at this time,” Brooke Brennan, an FBI Public Affairs Specialist, told The Sun Times by email.
During the incident, two other law enforcement officers, a DEA agent and a Tucson police officer, were injured. The injury to the DEA agent is described as “serious,” and the officer is in stable condition after being held overnight at the hospital for observation.
Magnus praised his department.
“I also want to reflect on the really heroic actions of the officers at the scene who literally ran towards the danger into the car where there was an active shooting situation going on,” he reportedly said in a statement.
Gov. Doug Ducey (R) addressed the shootout on Twitter.
“My heartfelt condolences are with the loved ones and colleagues of the DEA agent who lost his life today in Tucson. Two other law enforcement officers are injured in the hospital. Our prayers are with them, their families and the law enforcement community,” he said.
My heartfelt condolences are with the loved ones and colleagues of the DEA agent who lost his life today in Tucson. Two other law enforcement officers are injured in the hospital. Our prayers are with them, their families and the law enforcement community.
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) October 4, 2021
The DEA also made a statement:
Tragically, this morning, two DEA special agents and a DEA task force officer from the Tucson Police Department were shot during a law enforcement operation in Tucson, Arizona. One DEA special agent died as a result of injuries sustained during the shooting. A second DEA special agent is in critical condition. The DEA task force officer is in stable condition. We at the DEA are heartbroken by today’s events and ask that you keep the families of the agents and task force officer in your thoughts and prayers.”
The train was headed east from Los Angeles to New Orleans when it stopped in Tucson.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Amtrak” by Gene Bowker CC BY-ND 2.0.
