MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — Police have released the name of the suspect accused of killing another man before opening fire on officers at a Mesa apartment over the weekend.
In an update on Monday, police identified the suspect as 46-year-old Abishai Israel. He is facing 17 counts of aggravated assault and one count of misconduct involving weapons, according to police.
Late Friday night, Mesa police found a man shot to death at an apartment complex on Broadway and Dobson roads. The investigation led them to Israel, who had reportedly barricaded himself inside a nearby apartment.
Abishai Israel is facing 17 counts of aggravated assault and one count of misconduct involving weapons, according to police.(Arizona’s Family/Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
Early Saturday morning, 17 officers surrounded the apartment and tried to convince the suspect to surrender. Israel threatened to shoot police if they kept making announcements over a loudspeaker, according to court documents.
He then allegedly fired multiple rounds at police. Four officers returned fire into the apartment. No one was hit by gunfire, police say.
About 20 minutes later, documents say Israel walked out of the apartment. Officers fired a Taser and a non-lethal beanbag round to take him into custody.
Mesa police are still investigating the murder and do not know how Israel knew his alleged victim, whose identity is being withheld at this time.
Israel has a violent criminal history and previously served time in prison for felony convictions, records show. Israel reportedly also had multiple rifles and handguns inside the apartment.
Israel’s bond is set at half a million. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
Scottsdale police are investigating the officer-involved shooting as part of the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team (EVCIRT).
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