Eager, AZ -- Short-wave radio talk show host William "Bill"
Cooper was shot dead last night during a gun battle with
Sheriff's Deputies. According to Detective Frank Valenzuela
of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the shooting
took place at 11:40 PM outside of Cooper's home at 96 North
Clearview Circle, Eager, AZ.
According to Valenzuela, Police had intelligence that Cooper
had a large quantity of weapons in his home, and possibly
explosives. As such, the Sheriff's Department wanted to
arrest Cooper away from his home, so as to minimize the
possibility of armed conflict.
While on his way back up the hill to his home, a fully marked
Sheriff's patrol vehicle blocked the road in front of Cooper.
Uniformed members of the Sheriff's Department SWAT Team
exited that marked vehicle and told Cooper to stop, keep his
hands where they could see them and exit the vehicle. They
say Cooper placed one hand outside his window, then accelerated
around the police car, trying to run over a Sheriff Sergeant.
Police gave brief chase to Cooper's home.
Police say Cooper exited his vehicle, drew a handgun and
began firing at Deputies as he ran toward his house. One
Deputy Sheriff was struck at least once and possibly twice
in the head. Another Deputy returned fire, hitting Cooper
several times.
The wounded Deputy was evacuated by Helicopter to a hospital
in Phoenix. Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene by
Paramedics who were at the scene standing-by.
