Published October 28th, 2025
Updated October 28th, 2025 @ 9:30 am MST.
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Officer Shot During Early Morning Confrontation in Mesa
MESA, AZ (iSkyNews.com) – Early Wednesday morning, just after 2:00 a.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to a call for service near Sossaman and Ray Road, close to Mesa Gateway Airport, regarding a man who was reportedly impaired and trespassing in the area.
In this exclusive iSkyNews.com interview, Thomas Gateley of Cactus & Coach Transportation shares his harrowing firsthand account of being caught in the officer-involved shooting near Sossaman and Ray Road, just north of Mesa Gateway Airport.
Gateley, who was directly involved in the shootout between the suspect and police, recalls the terrifying moments when gunfire erupted around him.
“All I wanted to do was get home to my family and my 2-year-old son,” Gateley said.
He even texted them in the moment, writing: “There’s gunshots, I’m pinned down, I love you.”
A 34-year-old man opened fire on Mesa Police officers, injuring one officer and leading to an officer-involved shooting early Wednesday morning. After a tense standoff with police, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Mesa Police Department Detective Dreyer, officers initially made contact with the individual, who quickly became confrontational and refused to follow commands. The situation escalated when the man fled from officers, prompting the response that led to the exchange of gunfire.
See the grappler in action!
In an attempt to safely stop the suspect’s vehicle, officers deployed a Grappler device — a specialized tool that extends from the front of a patrol vehicle to wrap a heavy-duty net or strap around the rear tire of a suspect’s car, allowing police to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop without causing a collision.
The device successfully attached to the vehicle, but the suspect continued to resist, accelerating in an attempt to break free, though the Grappler held firm. Officers then used less-lethal rounds in an effort to gain compliance, but the man still refused to cooperate.
Moments later, during a short standoff, the suspect opened fire from inside his vehicle, striking one of the officers. The wounded officer was transported to a local hospital, where he remain in stable condition and recovering.
Officers continued to give commands to the suspect, urging him to surrender. A short time later, they heard a single gunshot from inside the vehicle and observed the man slump over. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that multiple rounds were fired by several Mesa officers during the incident, though the total number of shots has not yet been determined.
The Gilbert Police Department will be leading the investigation for the Officer Involved Shooting portion under the East Valley Critical Response Team (EVCRT) protocol.
We spoke with Police and they told us that the roadway will be closed for several more hours.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Stay with iSkyNews.com for verified updates as more information becomes available.
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