Tag Archives: Coconino County Sheriff

Skydiving Accident Results in a Death at the Grand Canyon

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TUSAYAN – On September 8, 2019 at approximately 9:55 am, Deputies were called to the area of the Grand Canyon National Park Airport for a report of a skydiving accident in which two males had been injured.

Upon arrival, Deputies confirmed two males who had been skydiving in tandem had been injured. One person appeared to have suffered a broken leg and was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center. The other person was unconscious, and CPR lifesaving efforts were being performed by paramedics on scene. The second person was later pronounced deceased by doctors from Flagstaff Medical Center. The deceased has been identified as Christopher Swales, a 55-year-old male from the United Kingdom.

Mr. Swales had purchased a skydiving package from Paragon Skydive, a company at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. The skydiving package included a tandem jump with a Paragon Skydiver. The skydive reportedly had been going as planned until they encountered difficulties when approaching the landing area. These difficulties caused the pair to free-fall for an unknown distance and hit the ground in what was described as a “hard landing.”

Investigators are still looking into the details surrounding the accident. Currently, there are no indications that the incident is criminal in nature. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and also is investigating the incident.

Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details are available at this time.

Public Notice of First Responder Exercise at Cromer School

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FLAGSTAFF – On Friday September 6th, 2019 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a Critical Incident Response Drill at Cromer School in the Doney Park area. The drill will occur between 5 pm – 9 pm and will involve personnel from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Flagstaff Fire Department, Guardian Medical Transport, Flagstaff School District, National Park Service “Walnut Canyon “ and Summit Fire District.

We want residents to be aware that this training will result in increased police and fire activity in the area. The training will be a reality-based exercise to provide first responders an opportunity to practice integrated response to critical incidents.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Cromer School for providing the venue for this training.

Seeking Public Information Regarding Two Investigations

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FLAGSTAFF – On Saturday, August 17, 2019 Deputies responded to the area of Hwy 89A near milepost 389, the area commonly referred to as the switchbacks of Oak Creek Canyon, for a report of a recovered stolen vehicle. That same day Detectives responded to a deceased elderly male near the area the vehicle was located. Detectives are working to identify the deceased male.

At this point in the investigations, it is unknown if the two are connected. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from the public that may assist in the investigations.

The vehicle is described as a 2006 Silver Hyundai Sonata passenger car with an Arizona State flag front license plate. A photograph of the actual vehicle is attached to this release.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who traveled Hwy89A between Sedona and Flagstaff Friday night through Saturday morning to please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 928-226-5087.

Due to the ongoing investigations, no further details are available at this time.

Fatality at Wahweap Marina near Page Arizona

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PAGE – National Park Service (NPS) Dispatch at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area received a call from 911 at approximately7:58 p.m. on Sunday, August 18 and dispatched rangers to the Lake Powell Resort’s main marina in the Wahweap District of the park, near Page, Arizona. It was reported a male had jumped in the water near slip F-3and had not resurfaced.

NPS Rangers arrived on scene and the victim appeared to be ensnarled in wires and cables at a depth of 20 to 30 feet. Due to safety concerns recovery was suspended until daylight hours today.

The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Dive Team recovered the victim at 10:53 a.m. at a depth of 249 feet. Jacob Jessop, a 31-year-old male from Colorado City, Arizona was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Coconino County Medical Examiner and transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff for an autopsy. Assisting were NPS Rangers,the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Dive Team and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident is under investigation by the National Park Service, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Visitors are reminded about the dangers of swimming in marinas which has led to that activity being prohibited.

Update on Death and Attempted Stabbing Near Gray Mountain

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GRAY MOUNTAIN – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident that occurred on Highway 89N near Gray Mountain on 08/05/19. Detectives have identified the male subject that died on scene as 35-year-old Richard Osburn from Oklahoma. A preliminary autopsy finding by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office suggest that Osburn died from blunt force trauma to the head most likely sustained from the him falling from the vehicle onto Highway 89N. There were no other significant injures found on Osburn that would be responsible for or contribute to his death.

investigation showed that Osburn and his wife were traveling southbound on Highway 89N. Osburn was driving their vehicle when the vehicle traveled southbound in the northbound lane near the Sinagua Trading Post. Osburn eventually attempted to correct his position and traveled across the median of Highway 89N causing damage to the vehicle.

Osburn stopped their vehicle and was approached by other civilian motorists who were attempting to assist him. Osburn exited his vehicle and began acting aggressive towards them. During this time the couple from Conway, Arkansas arrived to assist. Osburn approached them continuing with his aggressive behavior. The Arkansas couple got back into their vehicle, with the female victim driving, and started to leave the scene.

They observed Osburn running at their vehicle as they pulled out on the highway. Osburn jumped onto the roof of the vehicle. The female victim accelerated onto Highway 89N southbound.

Osburn, while on top of the vehicle, produced a fixed blade knife and smashed the glass sunroof out of the victim’s vehicle. Osburn then pulled his upper torso into the passenger compartment of the victim’s vehicle and began grabbing at the female driver. During this time, Osburn attempted to stab the female driver with his knife. All the while the male victim was attempting to defend himself and the female victim from the front passenger seat. Eventually, the male victim was able to push Osburn back out of the sunroof.

The female victim initiated an evasive maneuver with the vehicle which caused Osburn to fall from the roof of the vehicle at speeds estimated between 60-70 miles an hour. At this point, it appears as though Osburn died as a result of the injury sustained when he impacted the roadway.

Obsurn’s wife was interviewed at the Sheriff’s Office in Flagstaff and has been cooperative with the investigation. She was released to a friend and Victim Witness services.

Person Arrested After Firing Multiple Shots from Residence in Parks

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PARKS – On August 6, 2019 around 3:25 am Deputies responded to Archers Road in Parks, Arizona for reports from neighbors of a person yelling and shots being fired.

Upon arrival, deputies saw a male suspect at the residence and the suspect fired at the responding officers. The suspect appeared to be agitated, and deputies attempted to verbally de-escalate him. Law enforcement made contact with neighboring residents to secure the area and ensure public safety.

Throughout the incident, the suspect moved inside and outside the residence, continuing to fire multiple weapons. At one point while the suspect was firing rounds at responding officers, a deputy returned fire. After approximately an hour, the armed suspect came outside again. The suspect was partially compliant and deputies were able to disarm him and take him into custody. The suspect was transported for medical evaluation.

The Northern Arizona Joint Tactical Team had been requested and assisted in clearing the residence. No other persons were inside. Lifeline Medical and Ponderosa Fire also responded.

The suspect, who has been identified as 41-year-old Daniel Cluse of Flagstaff, AZ, will be booked into Coconino County Detention Facility.

The Northern Arizona Officer Involved Shooting Team led by the Flagstaff Police Department will be investigating the incident.

Coconino County Investigating Death and Attempted Stabbing Near Gray Mountain

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GRAY MOUNTAIN – On August 5, 2019 at 1:10 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Arizona Department of Public Safety Troopers from Flagstaff responded to Highway 89N near Gray Mountain for a motor vehicle accident, stabbing and death.

The first deputy on scene arrived at 1:34 pm and closed the highway in both directions. The Deputy observed a male body in the middle of the south bound lane. The Deputy checked for vitals and none were found. The subject showed signs of multiple injuries and heavy bleeding. Witnesses advised that a vehicle just south of the location may have been involved and that there was a stabbing victim at the vehicle.

Investigation revealed a couple out of Arkansas were traveling southbound on Highway 89N when they stopped to assist a vehicle that had possibly been involved in an accident. When the couple approached the vehicle, a male suspect from that vehicle ran at them with one hand behind his back.

The male suspect armed with a knife jumped on top of the victim’s car and began to break the sunroof. A struggle ensued between the male passenger and the suspect on top of the car. The female driver attempted to drive away while the male passenger tried to push the suspect away from the car. While the victims were trying to drive off and while the two males were struggling, the vehicle swerved. The suspect fell off the top of the car into the roadway where he was located upon arrival of law enforcement.

Victim and witness accounts indicate the vehicle traveled approximately ¼ to ½ mile at estimated speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour before the suspect came off the roof and onto the road way. The male stabbing victim was treated on scene and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for non-life-threatening wounds to his hands. The female victim was treated and released on scene by medics. The suspect’s wife was transport to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.

This matter is still under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. No further information is available at this time. The Arizona Department of Public Safety will be handling any road closure matters.

Suspect in Fernwood assault incident booked

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FLAGSTAFF – Detectives with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the July 29, 2019 assault that occurred in Fernwood. Additional information is being released about the shots fired and the arrest of the suspect.

On July 29, 2019 immediately after the victim was assaulted and while deputies were responding, family members attempted to locate the suspect outside of the house. The family members saw a person that they believed may be the suspect on a nearby neighborhood roadway. When they drove near the suspect, the suspect drew a handgun and fired at least one bullet at the victim’s family members. The suspect then fled. No one was injured during the shots fired incident.

During a neighborhood canvas looking for the suspect and other witnesses, deputies located the suspect at his residence. He was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies also recovered the handgun believed to be used in the armed confrontation with the family of the assault victim.

The suspect was taken to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office for questioning. That individual was subsequently booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility. Another male subject, who deputies initially thought may have been involved in the incident, also was taken to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. After interviews and further investigation, the second person does not appear to have been involved and he was released.

Kasey Johnson, a 22-year-old from Flagstaff, was booked into the Coconino County Jail the following charges: Sexual Abuse, Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, five counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, First Degree Residential Burglary, and two counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor.

The case remains under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111

Sheriff’s Office Rescues injured female from Lava Caves

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FLAGSTAFF – On July 13th, 2019 at approximately 11:55 am, Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responded to the Lava River Caves located off Forest Service Road 171 and conducted a technical Rescue of a 43 year old female who sustained a possible hip injury from a fall.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, with the assistance of Guardian Medical and Ponderosa Fire Department, responded to the Lava Caves located off of Forest Service Road 171 after receiving a call of a 43 year old woman out of Phoenix who had fallen and sustained a possible left hip fracture. The patient slipped and fell because of rocky and slippery conditions inside the cave and was unable to walk out.

Rescue units arrive on scene and removed the patient by technical rescue and a basket carry out at 2:00 pm. The female was then transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for her injury.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds all visitors to wear proper footwear, warm clothing and lighting when traveling in the Lava Caves.

Juvenile Charged in 2018 Fires on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

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FOREST LAKES – A 16 year old male from Glendale, Arizona has lead guilty to starting 3 fires on the Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves Nation Forest outside of Forest Lakes, Arizona.

The fires were started on May 27 and 28, 2018 in the area of Forest Road 178. The first fire was started on May 27th and reported around 7:30 AM. The fire burned to about 11 acres before fire crews could contain and control the fire.The second fire was started on May 28th and was reported around 1:57 PM and burned a quarter acre before fire crews could contain and control the fire. The third fire was reported while fire crews were fighting the second fire. This fire was contained and controlled at a quarter acre. United States Forest Service fire crews and Forest Lakes Fire Department responded to the fires and conducted containment and suppression operations.

The resident USDA Forest Service Law Enforcement officer in Forest Lakes conducted the investigation and found evidence all three fires were human caused. Investigators were able to identify the suspect as a 16 year old male. The suspect had been with several family members camping in the area. The suspect made statements that he had piled sticks or branches in a pile and lite them on fire for his cousins. The suspect said he was fascinated with fire and enjoyed watching the colors, but also acknowledged he knew the destructive potential of fire.

The suspect was initially detained, arrested and later released to his parents on three federal counts of Causing Timber, Trees and Grass to Burn. The United States Attorney’s later referred the case to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office due to the age of the juvenile suspect. The Juvenile was ultimately charged with three counts of Reckless Burning under Arizona State Law. The suspect plead guilty to one count of Reckless Burning with two counts being dismissed. He was ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution for the cost of fire suppression.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office supports the Forest Service in the protection of our natural resources through partnership by patrolling forested areas, camp grounds, and fires detection and suppression activities.