FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Multiple officers from the Flagstaff Police Department responded to reports of a disturbance with shots fired at the McDonald’s restaurant located at 1401 S. Milton Road around 9:30 PM Thursday.
According to police radio traffic, multiple 911 callers reported hearing several gunshots and seeing people running from the area.
Initial Suspect Description and Vehicle
Early witness accounts described the suspect as a male wearing a black shirt, gray pants, and white shoes who possibly fled in a blue Chevrolet pickup truck. At 9:33 PM, officers began checking the city’s Flock camera system, quickly locating the blue truck occupied by several individuals on the Flock record. Officers were searching for the truck, but after a few hours, they had not located it.
One witness later told officers the suspect appeared to be a younger Native American male wearing a black shirt and black pants.
Video Evidence and Crime Scene
By 9:44 PM, business surveillance footage provided a clearer image of the shooter, described as a Hispanic or Native American male in his 20s to early 30s, wearing a black hat, blue jeans, and white Nike shoes with a black swoosh. The suspect was seen armed with a handgun.
Officers established a crime scene around the restaurant at 9:51 PM, placing crime scene tape and marking multiple bullet casings found on the ground.
Search for Suspect
Around 10 PM, officers located an individual matching the suspect’s description near Wheeler Park, and several units responded. A brief struggle occurred when the male began fighting with officers, but he was eventually detained. However, by 10:14 PM, investigators determined this person was not involved in the shooting.
Shortly afterward, officers received another report of a person matching the description behind the nearby Dollar Tree. Several units responded, but this individual was also cleared and found unrelated to the incident.
Ongoing Investigation
At 10:15 PM, Northern Arizona University Police issued an emergency notification to students advising them to stay alert as the suspect remained at large. In their alert, they described the suspect as a Hispanic or Native American male wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and white Nike shoes with a black Nike “swoosh” on them.
No injuries have been confirmed at this time, and the Flagstaff Police Department continues to investigate.
Anyone with information or video footage from the area between 9:20 PM and 10:00 PM is asked to contact the Flagstaff Police Department or Coconino County Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111.
