— A routine traffic stop turned deadly Thursday evening when 46-year-old Melissa Mills of Apache Junction was fatally shot by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies following a high-speed chase and shootout near a Fry’s grocery store at North Gantzel and East Combs roads. The incident, which left a deputy injured and a community in shock, unfolded rapidly, raising questions about public safety, law enforcement protocols, and the circumstances surrounding Mills’ actions.
The encounter began around 7:51 p.m. when a PCSO sergeant attempted to pull over Mills’ vehicle near Gantzel Road and Pecan Creek Drive for reasons not yet disclosed by authorities. Mills refused to stop, initiating a six-minute pursuit through residential neighborhoods and a busy shopping area. Sheriff Ross Teeple described her driving as “reckless,” noting that she showed “complete disregard for public safety” by speeding through a 25 mph zone and intentionally ramming a sergeant’s patrol vehicle during the chase.
The pursuit ended when Mills’ vehicle crashed into a ditch near Gantzel and Combs roads. As deputies approached, Mills reportedly retrieved a handgun from the dashboard and fired at least one round, striking the window of a patrol vehicle and narrowly missing a deputy. In response, the sergeant and two deputies returned fire, fatally wounding Mills. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff Teeple characterized Mills’ actions as “attempted aggravated assault and attempted murder on a police officer,” emphasizing the immediate threat she posed. A deputy sustained non-life-threatening injuries from glass fragments caused by the gunfire and was treated and released from a hospital. A 30-year-old male passenger in Mills’ vehicle suffered minor injuries in the crash and was hospitalized. He was later arrested on an unrelated traffic warrant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Mills had a documented criminal history, with a May 2024 arrest for unlawful flight, driving on a suspended license, possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia. These prior charges were still pending at the time of her death. Her vehicle has been impounded, and authorities are preparing a search warrant to examine it for additional evidence, such as weapons or contraband.
The three deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, per standard protocol, as the investigation continues. Bodycam footage from the incident has not been released but may be made public pending the investigation’s progress. Sheriff Teeple defended the deputies’ actions, stating, “This is Pinal County, and if you commit a criminal offense here, we’re going to take action. Our deputies’ response to a direct threat likely saved lives.”
The shooting, the 18th law enforcement-involved shooting in the Phoenix area and the 40th in Arizona in 2025, has sparked renewed debate over use-of-force policies and the challenges of high-risk police pursuits. While the investigation will examine the deputies’ actions, it will also explore Mills’ motivations and mental state, given her history and the escalation of the encounter.
Mills’ death leaves her family and community grappling with the tragic outcome of a life marked by legal troubles and a violent end. As the PCSO continues its investigation, the public awaits further details on what precipitated this fatal confrontation and whether preventive measures could have altered its course.