Phoenix Police confirm a shooting outside the Federal Courthouse. "One person has been transported to the hospital with non life threatening injuries." Police are seeking information on a vehicle seen leaving the area and released the following image:
Phoenix PD now says "the investigation is being turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
More details from FBI in Phoenix: "The FBI is investigating an assault on a federal officer which occurred outside of the Federal Courthouse around 11:30 a.m. One person, a court security officer, has been transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries."
Large police presence outside the federal courthouse in downtown Phoenix
View from Washington and 7th Ave
Update from FBI: "An individual is in custody in connection with the assault on a federal officer. This is an ongoing investigation. No further information can be released at this time. There is no further information to suggest there is a continued threat to public safety."
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EXCLUSIVE: Investigation finds "ASTRONOMICAL" death rate in Maricopa County jails. With 43 deaths in 2022 and 43 in 2023, they are among the deadliest jails in the country. But you wouldn't know that, because the deaths were underreported — until now. azcentral.com/story/news/loc…
A review by The Arizona Republic of Maricopa County's in-custody jail deaths from 2019 through 2023 found the death rate was among the highest of major jail systems in the country, and four times the national average.
The death rate for Maricopa County jails in 2023 was twice as high as jails with similar populations, as well as jail systems with much larger populations.
NEW: Bombshell internal investigation conducted by Arizona's new prisons director reveals "State is in no position to conduct an execution" azcentral.com/story/news/loc…
According to the newly appointed Arizona Department of Corrections director, no written records exist from the previous administration on where the state’s death penalty drugs came from, how they were procured or who prepared them.
The revelations came amidst the case of death row prisoner Aaron Gunches. The state supreme court is considering a petition that would compel Gov. Hobbs to carry out the execution of Gunches, despite her previous statement that she would not. azcentral.com/story/news/loc…
BREAKING: @GovernorHobbs has appointed a Death Penalty Independent Review Commissioner, and @AZAGMayes has filed to withdraw a motion for the only pending death warrant, effectively pausing executions in Arizona.
"The Commissioner is tasked with reviewing and providing transparency into the Arizona Department of Corrections lethal injection drug and gas chamber chemical procurement process, execution protocols, and staffing considerations." azgovernor.gov/office-arizona…
"The Commissioner will then issue a final report that includes recommendations on improving the transparency, accountability, and safety of the execution process."
BREAKING: Governor Hobbs has appointed Dr. Ryan Thornell, Deputy Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections, to take over Arizona’s troubled prison system. His first day in office will be January 30. azcentral.com/story/news/loc…
Thornell has worked in corrections for more than 18 years. He has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, and a Doctorate in Political Science from the University of South Dakota.
Governor Hobbs' office said Thornell has experience "reforming a wide variety of adult corrections areas, challenging the status quo and implementing 21st century, normalized corrections practices."
IMPACT: @GovernorHobbs & @AZAGMayes condemn Arizona's "barbaric" practice of inducing the labor of pregnant prisoners, vowing to stop it – AND – @AthenaSalman pledges to introduce a bill protecting the autonomy of incarcerated medical patients. azcentral.com/story/news/loc…
.@GovernorHobbs calls forced inductions "wrong and inhumane."
"The choice of when and how to give birth is deeply personal and that does not change just because someone is incarcerated. The reproductive rights of all women must and will be safeguarded and respected."
@AZAGMayes: "Our office will be working with Governor Hobbs to ensure this barbaric treatment of incarcerated pregnant women does not continue moving forward."
A tipster shared these pictures with me. Apparently prison labor was used to set up the inauguration of Arizona's new governor today at the state capitol in Phoenix. The incarcerated workers were hurried away from the event as volunteers and staff arrived.
Arizona quite literally runs on prison labor, and apparently will continue to do so under the new administration. Our cities and towns are maintained by incarcerated people who are forced to work for pennies a day. Read our @azcentral investigation here: azcentral.com/in-depth/news/…
It's no secret - the current Department of Corrections director told the legislature that Arizona communities would “collapse” without cheap prison labor. azcentral.com/story/news/loc…