Man who allegedly shot Scottsdale sergeant while serving warrant at Phoenix apartment identified

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — Phoenix police have identified the man suspected of shooting a Scottsdale police sergeant in downtown Phoenix Friday night. Police are asking the public for help finding 37-year-old Kenneth Hearne, who’s suspected of shooting the sergeant. Police say Hearne is wanted for several crimes and is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther says around 7 p.m., detectives were serving a warrant inside Union at Roosevelt near 1st Avenue and Roosevelt Street. Investigators said that investigators went inside the apartment and found a woman and a child. Walther said the two were taken out of the apartment when police saw Hearne standing down the hallway. Police say he quickly ducked inside a room and began shooting at the officers. The gunfire struck a sergeant, and the officers immediately left the apartment. Another officer began shooting at Hearne, but it’s unknown if he was hit. Investigators say he then jumped over a second-story balcony and took off. Hearne hasn’t been found. The sergeant is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Scottsdale police say the sergeant is doing extremely well and is expected to make a full recovery.

After the shooting, Walthers had a stern message to the community. “We have to ask ourselves a question of when did this become OK? Other police departments in the Valley and the state have seen this, an increased number of aggravated assaults on police officers, shootings of police officers. I think we have to start asking ourselves tough questions of when this became OK,” he said. “We ask that you ask yourself the question of when did it become OK and recognize that it’s never going to be OK.”

One man who lives in the area says he saw a shocking note outside his complex door. “I look outside, and it’s all these lights. A guy above me actually told me there was an active shooter in there. I was actually kind of shocked,” said Chris, who lives in a neighboring apartment. “I was like, let me try and hopefully not be trapped in my apartment all night. So I try to go to one of the doors, and there’s a sign on the door that says “active shooter outside this door. Do not open.”

Video from Arizona’s Family shows a large police presence along 3rd Avenue and Roosevelt Street on Friday night with dozens of patrol cars. Residents in the area were reportedly told to stay inside. The Arizona Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also on the scene with police.

Valley Metro says trains are also running back on schedule. All eastbound stations are now back open.

Silent Witness is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. If you have any information regarding this case, you may contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, 480-948-6377, or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speaking. You can also leave an anonymous tip on the Silent Witness website at silentwitness.org.

This is the second officer-involved shooting in Maricopa County and in the state in 2023.

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