Phoenix police ID armed suspect who officer fired at in Walmart

Phoenix police detectives are investigating an incident involving an officer firing at a suspect accused of pulling out a firearm at a superstore.

Just before 11 a.m. Saturday, a loss prevention employee at a Walmart Supercenter at 35th and Southern avenues noticed a man believed to be shoplifting. An off-duty Phoenix police officer who was in the area near the store was alerted of the shoplifting attempt, police said.

The police officer, who was still in full uniform, went to assist the loss prevention employee when the man, later identified as 35-year-old David Apana, pulled out a gun and pointed it at both the officer and the loss prevention employee, police said. The officer then fired his gun in an attempt to shoot the man and missed him.

After the shooting, Apana ran towards the center of the store and eventually made it outside, police said. Apana was seen by responding officers running into a nearby neighborhood. A perimeter was set around Apana’s last known location. Apana was located and arrested. A firearm was also located next to the area where Apana was found. It was confirmed he was not struck by the officer’s shot.

There were no injuries to any other community members or officers, according to police.

Apana was booked on multiple felonies, including aggravated assault on a police officer.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix man who shot in a superstore booked in jail