Flagstaff Police Department

At approximately 1214 PM Flagstaff Police Officers were called to a residence in the 2100 block of E. Maple regarding a Residential Trespass in progress. According to the witness, the male suspect was reportedly on a residential rooftop attempting to gain access into one of the residences in the area. While officers were responding to the area, the suspect reportedly fled on foot in a westward direction in possession of a handgun. Officers arrived in the area and located the suspect jumping a fence behind the El Tapatio Restaurant, 2004 E. Route 66.

At approximately 12:52 PM Flagstaff Police received information the suspect entered the El Tapatio Restaurant and then went into a storage container behind the restaurant. Officers arrived on scene and secured a perimeter around the metal container while other officers reviewed video inside the restaurant. Officers on scene confirmed the identity of the male suspect as Jose Ernesto Padilla, 18, of Flagstaff. Flagstaff Police were also attempting to locate Mr. Padilla regarding an Aggravated Assault investigation on September 14, 2019 (P19-13920). Officers on scene began negotiations with Mr. Padilla requesting he exit the container without success. The Flagstaff Police Department Negotiations Team as well as the Flagstaff Police Department SWAT Team were requested and arrived to assist with taking Mr. Padilla into custody.

After lengthy negotiations were unsuccessful, gas was deployed into the container. During this time, Mr. Padilla fired his handgun at the officers prompting them to respond by discharging their firearms. After Mr. Padilla was injured and no longer posed a danger to the officers the officers gave him commands and was then compliant as they took him into custody without further incident. A medic, who is a member of the SWAT Team provided emergency first aid until medical personnel arrived. Mr. Padilla was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. A Flagstaff Police Officer was also injured during the exchange of gunshots and was also transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Northern Arizona Multi-Agency Shoot Team is on scene and conducting the investigation as it relates to the Officer Involved Shooting. Flagstaff Police Department officers involved in the shooting will be placed on paid Administrative Leave, per policy, pending the outcome of the investigation. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.