Tonto National Forest Pot Farm Shooting

Preliminary investigation reveals the following information about a shooting incident on the Tonto National Forest, Sun., Oct. 22nd, during a pot farm eradication operation conducted by Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs):

Incident: Suspect shot during pot farm eradication operation.

Location: North of Sunflower on the Tonto National Forest, in the Mt. Peeley/Deer Creek/201 road area.

Initial report of possible pot farm: Last Wed., a hiker found & reported the site (she reported the site as abandoned).

Shooting incident: During a marijuana eradication operation on the Tonto National Forest yesterday, Forest Service law enforcement officers encountered 4 armed suspects. One suspect pointed a loaded rifle at a law enforcement officer. The officer fired at the suspect 3 times.

Suspect in custody: The suspect, a 20-year-old Hispanic male (undocumented alien), is in stable condition in a local hospital & is cooperating with authorities.

Three armed suspects/land & air search: The other 3 armed suspects escaped & an air/land search operation was begun by officials from the Forest Service, the Dept. of Public Safety, Maricopa Co. Sheriff’s Officer & Gila Co. At least 3 helicopters were used for the search. Number of personnel: unknown.

Update on escaped suspects: Gila Co. detained a possible suspect (another undocumented alien) until he was picked by FS authorities for questioning.

Eradication operation: 3,100 plants, covering approx., 4 acres, were eradicated yesterday.

More plants have been discovered; the operation continues. Street value: unknown.

Note: Forest Service rangers do not carry guns nor conduct such operations. Please refer to referenced officers above as Forest Service law enforcement officers. (They are not “agents” either).