Arizona police shoot driver, 35, after he plowed his Ford F150 into a group of racing cyclists and fled - with four of the seven who were taken to hospital in a critical condition
Arizona police have shot a 35-year-old male suspect after he plowed his pickup truck into a group of around 50 cyclists during a benefit race, leaving seven victims hospitalized.
The incident unfolded about 7:25 am local time while people were taking part in the Bike the Bluff charity race in Show Low, about 180 miles east of Phoenix.
The suspect plowed into the cyclists in his Ford F-150 black pickup truck before speeding away from the scene.
Police chased the suspect before shooting him behind a nearby hardware store several blocks away.
The pickup truck with two bullet holes in the driver's side window and part of a mangled bike stuck on the vehicle's grill
Cycling shoes and a water bottle lie in the bloodied road following Saturday's incident
Bicycles were shattered to pieces with the remains scattered on the road which was cordoned off with police tape
Seven victims were taken to hospital after being struck by the truck, according to the Show Low Police Department.
One person was airlifted out and their condition is not known. Four others are in critical condition while the other two are in critical but stable condition.
Police said at least two other victims with less serious injuries took themselves to hospital for medical treatment.
The driver, who has been described as a white 35-year-old male, was also hospitalized in critical but stable condition following the shooting.
Show Low Police Sgt. Brandon Clark told local outlet WMICentral.com a group of around 40 to 50 cyclists were riding along Show Low's main street Deuce of Clubs participating in the race.
Clark said the group was traveling westbound while the truck was traveling eastbound in the fast lane.
The vehicle suddenly veered across the two lanes, plowing into the oncoming cyclists.
'For whatever reason, he crossed over the lines,' said Clark.
'He ended up striking several of the riders in that group.'
The pickup truck was seen taped off with police tape on the scene. Arizona police have shot a 35-year-old male suspect after he plowed his pickup truck into a group of cyclists
The incident unfolded about 7:25 am local time while people were taking part in the Bike the Bluff charity race in Show Low, near Phoenix
The suspect plowed into the cyclists in his Ford F-150 black pickup truck before speeding away from the scene
The driver sped from the scene, striking and breaking an APS power pole along the way.
The suspect was then shot by police near Sylvester Street behind Ace Hardware where he crashed the truck, reported WMICentral.com.
It is not clear at this time if the suspect was also armed.
Graphic photos from the scene showed the black truck with bullet holes in the driver's side window and part of a mangled bike stuck on the vehicle's grill.
Cycling gear including shoes, helmets and water bottles littered the blood-stained road.
Bicycles were shattered to pieces with police tape cordoning off the area.
Police have not released the identities of the victims or the suspect at this time.
A bullet hole is seen in the driver's side window of the pickup truck that struck cyclists
Police chased the suspect before shooting him behind a nearby hardware store several blocks away
Seven victims were taken to hospital after being struck by the truck, according to the Show Low Police Department
Police spokeswoman Kristine Sleighter said in a statement: 'Our community is shocked at this incident and our hearts and prayers are with the injured and their families at this time.'
The area around the incident is closed to the public and multiple law enforcement teams including Show Low Police Department, Navajo County Sheriff's Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are on the scene investigating.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
No further details have been released about the events leading up to the incident or what a possible motive may be.
Bike the Bluff is a 58-mile race to raise money for the Mountain Christian School in Show Low, a town in the White Mountains located about a three-hour drive from Phoenix.
Multiple law enforcement teams including Show Low Police Department, Navajo County Sheriff's Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are on the scene investigating
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