Investigators say four state troopers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.
PHOENIX, AZ— A 51-year-old man accused of shooting at Arizona Department of Public Safety SWAT troopers during a high-risk warrant service in Phoenix is facing 18 counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, authorities said.
The suspect, identified by state officials as Darrelle Lazane Bell, was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on Saturday, Feb. 7, after being treated and released from a hospital, according to DPS. The case centers on a Thursday night shootout near Indian School Road and Interstate 17 that left a SWAT sergeant with gunshot wounds and three other SWAT personnel hurt by shrapnel. Phoenix police said they are leading the investigation into the shooting.
The gunfire erupted about 7:12 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, when DPS SWAT personnel served a high-risk search warrant in the area of 2435 W. Indian School Road, state officials said. Investigators described the location as a trailer and RV park near 24th Avenue and Indian School Road, just east of I-17. Bell was wanted on a felony grand jury warrant related to weapons misconduct and drug possession, DPS said. As troopers prepared to enter a residence, two people outside alerted Bell to law enforcement’s presence, authorities said. Bell then began firing toward troopers, who returned fire. Bell was hit, suffered injuries described as not life-threatening, and was taken to a hospital before his release and booking.
DPS said Bell was booked on 18 counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, along with other felony counts that include allegations of being a prohibited possessor of a weapon, discharging a firearm within city limits, and resisting arrest. Officials said he was also booked on the original outstanding warrant. DPS said Bell is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. Authorities have not released the names of the two people described as warning Bell outside the home, and it was not immediately clear whether they face any criminal allegations. DPS and Phoenix police have not publicly detailed what evidence they have collected from the scene beyond the accounts released in official statements.
During the exchange of gunfire, a DPS SWAT sergeant was struck in the shoulder and suffered an additional wound to an arm, DPS said. A DPS spokesman later described the second injury as involving the bicep and said it was not immediately clear whether it was caused by shrapnel or a bullet. Three other SWAT personnel were injured by shrapnel, DPS said. All four troopers were treated and released, and DPS said they were recovering after leaving the hospital. Bell also was taken to a hospital after he was shot, and authorities said his injuries were not life-threatening. Officials have not said how many rounds were fired, what weapons were used, or whether body-worn cameras, vehicle cameras, or surveillance video captured the shooting.
Authorities described the operation as a high-risk warrant service, a type of planned law enforcement action often used when investigators believe a suspect may be armed or likely to resist arrest. The shooting occurred at a trailer and RV park, a setting that policing experts say can add risk because of the close spacing of homes and the materials involved. Dr. Roy Taylor, described by Arizona’s Family as a police procedure expert, said serving high-risk warrants requires officers to weigh factors beyond the warrant itself, including who might be inside and how the location could amplify danger. He noted that bullets can travel through trailers and create threats for nearby residents and officers. DPS and Phoenix police have not reported any injuries to bystanders in this case.
The incident also comes amid heightened attention in Arizona to law enforcement shootings and major public safety incidents. In the days around the Phoenix shooting, DPS noted it was dealing with other emergencies, and officials said they would limit on-scene public information responses in part because of recent events elsewhere in the state. DPS thanked Phoenix police, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and emergency medical personnel for assisting at the scene. Authorities have not said whether the warrant service was part of a broader investigation into weapons or drug activity, and they have not described any items recovered during the operation. They also have not said whether anyone else was inside the residence when troopers moved in.
Phoenix police are expected to handle the investigative review typical in officer-involved shootings, including interviews, evidence collection, and a review of any video and forensic findings. DPS said Phoenix police will lead the investigation into the shooting, a common step meant to provide an outside agency review when state troopers are involved. In Arizona, such cases can involve parallel tracks, including a criminal investigation into the suspect’s alleged conduct and an administrative review of officers’ actions. Authorities have not announced a timeline for releasing additional information, and DPS said no further details were available as of its latest public update.
Bell’s booking sets the stage for court proceedings that typically begin with an initial appearance and bond review, followed by hearings where prosecutors outline allegations and defense attorneys can challenge probable cause and evidence. Officials have not released a public court schedule in their statements, and it was not immediately clear when Bell’s first appearance would be held. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which prosecutes most felony cases in the county, would generally handle charging decisions as the investigation continues. Bell has not entered a public plea in the case, and it was not known whether he had retained an attorney or had counsel appointed by the court.
Investigators have described Bell as having an extensive criminal record involving drug and weapons-related offenses, though authorities have not provided a detailed list of prior cases in their public updates. That background, along with the allegation that Bell fired at multiple officers, is central to the attempted murder counts, which are tied to the number of officers involved, authorities said. DPS officials have emphasized that the wounded troopers were serving in a SWAT capacity and that they were targeted as they prepared to enter the residence. “Almost immediately following, the suspect began to fire rounds at our SWAT officers,” DPS Sgt. Kameron Lee said in a televised interview, describing the moment the operation turned into a shootout. “SWAT officers returned fire,” he said.
At the scene Thursday night, the area around Indian School Road near I-17 drew a heavy law enforcement presence as officers worked to secure the location, according to television coverage. Residents and drivers in the area reported seeing emergency vehicles and officers staging nearby as the situation unfolded. By Saturday, DPS said Bell had been released from the hospital and booked into jail, and officials said the four injured troopers also had been released for their injuries. Investigators have not said whether the shooting resulted in damage to nearby homes or vehicles, and they have not released information about evidence such as shell casings, firearms, or other items recovered.
As of Sunday, authorities said Bell remained jailed on a $1 million cash-only bond while Phoenix police continued the investigation. Officials have not announced when they expect to release the next update or when the case will next be heard in court.
Author note: Last updated Feb. 8, 2026.