Phoenix Police Officer Shot During Ambush, Recovery Drive Says

PHOENIX – A Phoenix police officer who was shot an ambush that injured several police officers in 2022 talks about his recovery and how the community helped him.

Officials say the incident began after a woman was reportedly shot at a home near 51st Avenue and Broadway Road in the early morning hours of February 11, 2022. The suspect in the shooting was identified as 36-year-old Morris Richard Jones III. He called police and claimed his wife had been shot by a burglar.

When an officer approached the home, Jones reportedly invited him to go inside before shooting him multiple times in an ambush. Backup officers later arrived and surrounded the home while Jones barricaded himself inside. At some point during the altercation, a man in the home, who has since been identified as the female victim’s brother, walked out and placed a baby on the floor before being arrested. As officers approached the home to retrieve the baby, the suspect opened fire.

Police officer recounts the ordeal

When Officer Austin Peru responded to the home, he couldn’t anticipate what happened next.

“I remember seeing the man at the front door and he was screaming at me, saying there was a woman in the house and she was bleeding to death and stuff like that,” Peru said. “As I walk towards the door he keeps motioning for me to go into the house and I remember as I got closer to the porch I saw one of his hands disappear and the next thing I saw was you know, I see a gun come out.

Officer Peru was shot five times that night.

“I remember the first shot being fired and I knew immediately that I had been hit,” Officer Peru said.

A total of nine officers, including Peruvians, were injured.

“The guy who called a home invasion, he was the guy who killed his wife and called a home invasion to get us to react and try to kill us, and I ended up having other friends who were in “We were shot that night, but everyone survived,” Peru said.

Returning to work was not easy for Peru

Officer Peru spent five months recovering from his wounds at home before returning to work. It was a step that wasn’t easy.

“It’s strange going back to work after almost losing my life with – you know, the last time I was at work, and that’s still a battle that I struggle with to this day said Officer Peru. “I have a lot of constant reminders of everything.”

After the shooting, the 100 Club of Arizona was one of the organizations that helped.

“When tragedy strikes, as it did for Austin Peru and many Phoenix police officers, we provide immediate financial assistance through our line-of-duty injury assistance program,” said Melissa Kowalski, chief program officer for the 100 Club of Arizona. “We provided monthly support to Austin and all of his injured colleagues.”

“The community is so supportive and you can see how much the community actually likes the police,” Officer Peru said.

As Officer Peru prepares to soon become a father for the first time, he said support remains important.

“It’s an ongoing thing. I will probably have issues with this incident for the rest of my life, and it all goes back to me trying to do my job and help someone,” said Officer Peru.