PCSO IDs suspect killed in deputy-involved shooting after starting fires near Apache Junction

APACHE JUNCTION, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - A suspect is dead after a deputy-involved shooting near Apache Junction on Tuesday afternoon. He’s since been identified as 53-year-old Daniel Barnes.

Around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Apache Junction police officers tried to stop a domestic violence suspect, who was seen recklessly driving a motor home, PCSO said. Barnes reportedly rammed into a PCSO vehicle before returning to his home near Goldfield Road and Southern Avenue and barricading himself inside.

The Pinal Regional SWAT team was called to assist, where PCSO says the suspect was seen armed with a knife and a handgun. PCSO says he then started a fire inside a detached garage, spreading to several nearby homes, which burned down. PCSO says a shooting involving three deputies occurred outside of the motorhome during negotiations with Barnes, and he died on the scene. Several homes have been evacuated as a precaution.

Areas near Acacia Road and Southern Avenue were closed into the evening Tuesday as deputies investigated. This is the 11th shooting involving law enforcement outside of Maricopa County and the 44th in Arizona overall.

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