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Josiah L. Byard

Age : 21

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 06/10/2021

Location : W. Airport Road and Quail Drive

City : Willcox

County : Cochise

State : Arizona

Agency : Arizona Department of Public Safety

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police after pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 06/10/2021 at approximately 3:10 a.m., an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper observed a silver Chevrolet SUV traveling at speeds exceeding 110 miles per hour on Interstate 10 and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Josiah L. Byard, did not stop, and troopers escalated a pursuit with emergency lights and sirens activated. Willcox police deployed tire deflation devices near milepost 344, which the vehicle struck but continued driving with damaged tires. During the pursuit, police reported that Byard fired a handgun, striking a patrol vehicle and shooting the trooper who initiated the stop. Byard continued driving and later left the vehicle. Troopers located him at a nearby residence, where he had entered the home and asked occupants for a ride. When officers approached, Byard exited a vehicle holding a handgun and did not comply with commands to surrender. Police stated that Byard attempted to gain access to the occupied residence while holding the firearm. Two DPS troopers opened fire and shot Byard. He died from his injuries at the scene. The shooting was placed under investigation. No troopers were charged.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/traffic-stop-on-i-10-in-wilcox-ends-in-deadly-shooting