Update - Officer Involved Shooting - Fairmont Apartments

06/06/2012 | Sgt. Clint Norred, Patrol

On Wednesday, June 06, 2012 at about 2:20 am, the Yuma Police Department received a report of an alleged assault that occurred at the Fairmont Apartments, 2293 West 19th Street.

The initial information was Michael Shawn Cooper, 35 years old of Yuma, had inappropriately touched a known adult female at the apartment. In addition, Cooper had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant out of Yuma Municipal Court for failure to pay reference drug paraphernalia charges. Officers arrived and Cooper became uncooperative and armed himself with a knife while making suicidal threats. Cooper was able to barricade himself and a 15 year old male inside the apartment.

Officers began verbal negotiations and evacuated four nearby apartments as a precaution. The Special Enforcement and Hostage Negotiations teams were called to the scene. About 30 minutes later, the 15 year old male walked out of the apartment uninjured.

During the negotiations, Cooper continued to be suicidal and uncooperative. Just after 5 am, Cooper became aggressive towards the Special Enforcement Team near the apartment. He armed himself with a spear while in the living room of the apartment. The spear is approximately 4 ½ foot long with a 6 inch long metal end. SET officers attempted to subdue Cooper with a less than lethal impact round and Cooper threw the spear towards the SET officers. Cooper was shot once in the torso by SET Sergeant Jeffery Ruby. Sergeant Ruby is an 18 year veteran with the Yuma Police Department. Sergeant Ruby has been placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure with officers involved in a shooting.

Members of the Yuma Fire Department Tactical Emergency Medical team began immediate treatment of Cooper and he was transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center. He later died from his injuries.

The crime scene is still secured as detectives complete their investigation. The case will be prepared and forwarded to the Yuma County Attorney's Office for review when complete.