Apache Junction Police Chief Michael Pooley told the City Council on June 3 that Officer Gabriel Fazio was critically wounded after being shot while officers attempted to stop a vehicle following a reported road‑rage incident.

“Officer Gabriel Fazio … is still fighting for his life tonight,” Chief Michael Pooley said during the council meeting. Pooley said the officer, an almost four‑year department veteran, was struck in the face by a round fired from “about 60, possibly 70 yards away.” Fazio was taken to Banner Goldfield Hospital and later transported to a level‑one trauma center.

Pooley identified the driver as Roger Nunez, an Apache Junction resident. He said officers attempted to make the vehicle stop and that the driver initially complied but later exited the vehicle with a handgun. “It got to a point where he did pull that gun out,” Pooley said. Officers returned fire; the suspect was shot, taken to a hospital and is alive, Pooley said. The Mesa Police Department is serving as the primary investigative agency.

Pooley said prosecutors would pursue multiple counts, adding, “There will be multiple counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. That’s a pretty hefty penalty.” He said he has met with Fazio’s family and asked the community to keep them in their thoughts as the officer recovers.

No council action was taken during the briefing; the remarks were an informational update about a pending criminal investigation. Pooley said the department has had assistance from surrounding agencies during the incident response and investigation.

The council meeting record does not include formal charging documents or a complete list of charges; Pooley said the suspect “is gonna be facing several charges” and that the county attorney has committed to prosecuting “to the fullest extent of the law.”