YUMA, AZ- A Yuma police officer shot and killed a man they say was suicidal and attacked officers with a spear. A police news release states that it started on Wednesday at about 2:20 am when 35 year old Michael Shawn Cooper of Yuma, inappropriately touched a adult female at the apartment. They say Cooper had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant out of Yuma Municipal Court for failure to pay reference drug paraphernalia charges. Police say when they arrived Cooper became uncooperative and armed himself with a knife while making suicidal threats. They say Cooper barricaded himself and a 15 year old male inside the apartment.
Police say they began verbal negotiations and evacuated four nearby apartments as a precaution. The Special Enforcement and Hostage Negotiations teams were called to the scene. About 30 minutes later, the 15 year old male walked out of the apartment uninjured.
The news release states that during the negotiations, Cooper continued to be suicidal and uncooperative. Just after 5 am, police report Cooper became aggressive towards the Special Enforcement Team near the apartment. They say he armed himself with a spear while in the living room of the apartment. The spear is described as approximately 4 ½ foot long with a 6 inch long metal end. Police say SET officers attempted to subdue Cooper with a less than lethal impact round and Cooper threw the spear towards the SET officers. Cooper was shot once in the torso by SET Sergeant Jeffery Ruby. Sergeant Ruby is an 18 year veteran with the Yuma Police Department. Sergeant Ruby has been placed on administrative leave. Sgt. Norred Clinton says it a standard procedure with officers involved in a shooting.
Members of the Yuma Fire Department Tactical Emergency Medical team began immediate treatment of Cooper and he was transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center. He later died from his injuries.
The case will be prepared and forwarded to the Yuma County Attorney's Office for review when complete.
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