Apache Junction police have identified the officer critically wounded June 2 by a driver with a “ghost gun” as Officer Gabriel Facio, a three-year veteran of the agency.
Police Chief Michael Pooley said on June 3 that Facio remained in critical condition a day after he was shot in what escalated from a road rage incident.
Facio, a married father of two, was “kind of the heartbeat of our department,” Pooley said. He called Facio a “fighter,” but asked for support from the Apache Junction community.
“It is heartbreaking to see one of your strong, tough officers in a very dire situation,” Pooley said. “So again we ask for prayers and comfort for the family, support from the community.”
The incident began just after 9 a.m. June 2, when officers responded to the area of Ironwood Drive and Elliott Road on reports of a driver brandishing a gun, the chief said.
An officer found the vehicle matching the description — a white Tesla — and stopped it, Pooley said. The driver was compliant and “showed no signs of aggression whatsoever,” the chief said.
When the officer asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, he pulled a handgun from the glove box, got out, and began walking away, Pooley said.
Officers followed the man as he walked south on Ironwood Drive with the firearm for about a mile, Pooley said. “He did say at some point that he wanted the officer to shoot him,” the chief said.
Officers tried to get the man to stop and used a pepper ball gun, but it “had no effect on him whatsoever,” the chief said. Near Radiance Avenue, the man made “a quick move” and fired four rounds, hitting Facio in the face, Pooley said.
Four other officers returned fire, and one then took Facio in a patrol vehicle to the hospital for treatment, Pooley said. They were placed on paid administrative leave as part of the routine response to an officer-involved shooting.
Apache Junction police identified the driver of the white Tesla as Roger Nunez, 37, of Apache Junction. The handgun he used was a “ghost gun,” Pooley said. He did not provide specifics about the weapon. Generally, ghost guns are those that do not have a traceable serial number. They are sometimes 3-D printed.
Pooley said Mesa police were investigating the incident and would recommend Nunez be charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault.
The chief said the officers who responded saved Facio’s life.
“Had those officers not reacted the way they did, Officer Facio would have lost his life yesterday on that street,” the chief said. “There’s no doubt in my mind.”
Pooley said Facio was known for supporting his fellow law enforcement officers and had “a great attitude.” Facio previously worked briefly in Phoenix.
“He’s just a wonderful human being and one of my personal favorites. I’m not supposed to have favorites, but I’ll tell you he is one of my favorites,” the chief said. “He really is just the heartbeat of this department. And it’s very, very difficult for our officers right now.”
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Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Apache Junction officer in critical condition is ‘fighter,’ chief says