By Mustafa Caglayan
NEW YORK
A domestic violence suspect fatally shot a rookie police officer in northern Arizona on Saturday before killing himself.
Officer Tyler Stewart, 24, was investigating a domestic violence call about 1:30 p.m. local time (GMT2030) in the city of Flagstaff when the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Robert W. Smith, shot him multiple times and then killed himself, police said.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, and the officer succumbed to his injuries at Flagstaff Medical Center where he was taken in critical condition.
“This is an enormous tragedy for our department and the family of our officer. We are a very close knit organization, and know that all members of the Flagstaff Police Department are grieving at this time," Police Chief Kevin Treadway said.
Stewart spent less than one year on the force.
Police previously said they were searching for another suspect involved in the domestic violence case, but did not comment on his involvement in the shooting, local news website AZCentral reported.
Police-related shooting deaths have frequently made headlines in recent months, particularly after an unarmed black teen was fatally shot by a white Missouri officer in August.
Two New York police officers were killed last week by a black man who had earlier posted angry messages about police on social media.
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