Arizona police have identified 18-year veteran Christopher Farrer as the officer who was killed after being hit by a stolen car early Friday morning.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Chandler Police Officer Christopher Farrar,” the Chandler Police Department said in a statement. “Officer Farrar was struck and killed by a suspect driving a stolen vehicle earlier this evening. He was a 18-year veteran of the Chandler Police Department.”
Late Thursday night, a suspect driving a stolen car hit two police officers, including Farrer and another officer who was critically hurt.
The incident began as a traffic stop in Eloy, Arizona, but escalated into a police chase when the suspect allegedly shot at a Pinal County deputy.
The pursuit ended up at Chandler Airport, where the suspect drove through one of the gates and caused the facility to shut down. Despite the effort of multiple law enforcement agencies to take the driver into custody, the suspect ended up back on the freeway, taking officers to a complex of car dealerships, known as the San Tan Motorplex, in Gilbert.
While in Gilbert, the suspect reportedly left his car and stole a truck from a Ford dealership, hitting two officers and injuring an employee at the Motorplex in the process.
Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan confirmed Farrar’s identity, saying, “Chris was struck and killed by a violent felon in a stolen vehicle following a multi-agency shooting and pursuit.”
Chandler Police Department
As of Friday morning, the other officer struck by the suspect is currently in the hospital in critical condition, according to officials. He is an officer with the Gilbert Police Department.
The condition of the San Tan employee is unknown.
A barricade situation took place at the dealership and a shootout occurred between the suspect and at least seven law enforcement officials. The suspect, who was injured, has been taken into custody following the gunfight with police.
No one else involved has been immediately identified.
Chandler Police, Gilbert Police, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office are all involved in the investigation.
The Arizona Department of Transportation said the westbound lanes of the Loop 202 Santan were closed between Val Vista and Cooper due to a police investigation of the incident, but the freeway was reopened before 5:30 a.m on Friday.
Newsweek reached out to the Chandler Police Department for further comment but did not hear back before publication.
