GOLDEN VALLEY – A Mohave County Sheriff’s detective reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries when shot during a scuffle with a civilian in Golden Valley Tuesday morning. The Bullhead City Police Department is conducting an independent investigation, which is standard in officer-involved shootings.
Police spokeswoman Emily Fromelt said sheriff’s office personnel responded at 9:15 a.m. to the Maverick Country Store at 5031 Highway 68. The calling party reported that an erratic female was walking inside the store with a gun in her hand.
“The responding deputies contacted Brenda Kay Thomas, 51, Golden Valley who was uncooperative and combative,” Fromelt said. “They were able to take her into custody for disorderly conduct with a weapon and resisting arrest.”
Fromelt said Thomas was being escorted from the store in handcuffs when she somehow grabbed a duty weapon from the holster of a detective. “When the detective felt her grab his gun and tried to stop her, she discharged the weapon and shot him in the hand.”
Fromelt said another deputy tased the uninjured Thomas who was taken into custody. She said the detective was treated for hand injuries at a local hospital.
Fromelt said Thomas faces an additional attempted murder charge and that the investigation continues.
Dave Hawkins