Suspect Fatally Shot, Officer Wounded After Family Members Attack Responding Police in Walmart Parking Lot Brawl

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. (TheBlaze/AP) — An overnight family brawl in a Walmart parking lot has left one person dead and two others wounded, including a police officer who was shot in the leg.

A Cottonwood police officer was shot in the leg just before midnight Sunday trying to break up the melee in the store parking lot, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said.

Authorities said the incident began when police responded to reports that a female Walmart employee was allegedly assaulted by multiple suspects.

Image source: KPHO-TV

According to DPS, the suspects were part of the same family of eight and immediately attacked responding officers outside. Seven other officers suffered minor injuries including lacerations and bruising.

DPS said one suspect was fatally shot, a second suspect was shot in the abdomen and a Walmart employee also suffered a broken arm trying to help.

The wounded 31-year-old officer underwent surgery and is expected to recover.

Seven suspects were taken into custody. Their identities have not been released. DPS says they were driving a Chevrolet Suburban with an Idaho license plate.

This story has been updated.

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