Response Confusion After Fatal SWAT Shoot-Out

The Pima County (Ariz.) Sheriff’s Office is releasing little information about the fatal shooting of man during a SWAT raid, but the logging tape of a 911 call for medical help from the victim’s wife shows dispatchers were confused about whether the scene was secure for medics. Deputies served a search warrant and, according to an attorney representing the SWAT deputies, saw Jose Guerena at the end of a hallway with a long-rifle and opened fire—he was hit 60 times out of 71 shots fired. Guerena’s wife Vanessa said he was sleeping, heard noises, and believed intruders were outside the house, and so armed himself. Vanessa dialed 911 in terror after the shooting and asked for an ambulance. But dispatchers took several minutes to confirm that her address was among several that were being searched by SWAT officers. Also, the deputies’ attorney said his clients believed the house was not secure, and so didn’t clear medics to come to the scene to treat Jose Guerena. Read the full story here, and listen to the 911 call here.