Camp Verde AZ (July 5, 2016) – UPDATE – Yesterday, July 4, 2016, suspect William Nelson was released from Flagstaff Medical Center and booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Intent to Commit Murder with premeditation, Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement Officers. He is being held without bond.
Detectives provided additional information from the suspect’s confrontation with the victim on Highway 169. As the victim drove east on Highway 169 towards I17, she sensed she was being followed. When she slowed to make a left turn, a vehicle pulled next to her and the driver began shooting. Multiple rounds were fired and detectives confirmed at least 5 rounds struck her vehicle, shattering one of the windows. As previously indicated, she was fortunately not hit by any rounds during the suspect’s attempt to kill her. The victim immediately recognized the vehicle, which belongs to her ex-husband, and called the YCSO.
Deputies set up in areas the suspect would most likely be seen. He was eventually spotted on north I17 exiting onto Highway 260 towards Camp Verde about 15 minutes after the shooting on Highway 169. During a high risk traffic stop, the suspect exited his vehicle with a handgun and confronted deputies. Based on the deadly threat to Sheriff’s personnel, a deputy fired and struck the suspect’s right thigh area. The suspect went down and once secured, deputies rendered first aid pending the arrival of paramedics. The suspect was eventually air lifted to Flagstaff Medical center. Following surgery and recovery, he was released to YCSO for booking as indicated.
The shooting investigation is being handled by YCSO’s Criminal Investigation Bureau and will remain active pending a final report for review by the County Attorney’s Office. As per policy, the deputy involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave.
Sheriff Mascher has commended the involved deputies for their determination to catch this suspect before he could act again and hurt the victim, himself, or others.
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Camp Verde AZ (July 3, 2016) – At approximately 11PM last night, July 2, 2016, YCSO a 46-year-old woman called YCSO to report that while driving along Highway 169 near Old Cherry Creek Road, she was being followed by her estranged husband, 58-year-old William Nelson of Dewey. When she slowed to make a turn, he pulled alongside her vehicle and fired a shot which smashed out her car window. Fortunately, she was not hit and the suspect continued on 169 towards I17. The victim also indicated William had threatened suicide earlier in the day.
An area broadcast describing the suspect vehicle, a green Dodge Ram Charger, was issued to area law enforcement agencies. Just before 11:20 PM, a YCSO deputy located the suspect vehicle exiting I17 at Highway 260 towards Camp Verde. As assisting deputies arrived, a traffic stop was initiated on Highway 260 near Quarter Horse Lane. Nelson exited his vehicle armed with a handgun and when he confronted deputies, a single deputy fired to stop the threat. The suspect was hit in the upper right leg/thigh area and went down. When safe, deputies approached and rendered first aid. The suspect was eventually flown to Flagstaff Medical Center and will apparently survive the injury. He will remain at the hospital in-custody, pending surgery.
Detectives from the YCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau were called out early this morning to begin their investigation which will continue throughout the day.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov