Cottonwood AZ (June 4, 2015) – UPDATE – Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy John Russell is providing the following updated information:
At approximately 4:09 AM on May 30, 2015, 18-year-old Ebin Proctor of Cottonwood was one of 6 occupants in a vehicle stopped by 2 YCSO deputies on Vaquero Lane in Cottonwood. During contact with the deputies, Proctor gave a false identity. It was later determined Proctor was on active felony probation for an incident which occurred on May 22, 2014, where he plead guilty to Resisting Arrest and Aggravated Assault on a Chino Valley Police Officer. Proctor had violated his probation in this case and a $25,000 felony warrant was issued for his arrest.
A few minutes into the traffic stop, Proctor suddenly ran from the scene. 26-year-old Deputy Steven Gorman, a 2 year veteran of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, initiated a foot pursuit and caught up with Proctor in the back yard of a home on nearby Yuma Circle, at which point Deputy Gorman deployed his Taser which was ineffective. Proctor immediately attacked Deputy Gorman; in an attempt to stop the assault, Deputy Gorman deployed his pepper spray which also proved ineffective. Proctor continued the assault and began struggling to gain control of Deputy Gorman’s firearm while they were on the ground. Fearing for his life, the deputy was forced to shoot Proctor, who died on scene.
Deputy Gorman was transported to a local hospital and treated for injuries sustained during the attack. He remains on administrative leave per agency policy while he recovers from his injuries. The shooting investigation is being handled by the Department of Public Safety’s Special Investigations Unit. The Sheriff’s Office will not comment further on this case while the investigation by DPS is under way. Chief Russell wishes to thank the community for their prayers and support regarding this unfortunate incident.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or question’s at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov
###
Cottonwood AZ (May 30, 2015) – UPDATE – 1 PM – The deputy involved in this incident was not shot but did sustain non-life threatening injuries during the confrontation. He was transported to a local hospital and has since been released.
Per YCSO policy, the deputy’s name will not be released for at least 48 hours.
The investigation has been turned over to the DPS Officer Involved Shooting team whose detectives arrived on scene this morning. DPS will be releasing further information, including suspect identification, when appropriate.
###
Cottonwood AZ (May 30, 2015) – A YCSO deputy was involved in a shooting following a traffic stop around 4 AM this morning on Yuma Circle Drive in the Verde Villages, Cottonwood. The deputy was injured and transported to the hospital and a male suspect is deceased. The deputy’s injuries are not life threatening.
The Department of Public Safety Officer Involved Shooting team was notified and will be investigating the circumstances of this incident.