Pinal County Attorney Reflects on Community Loss as Beloved Officer Battling for His Life After Line-of-Duty Shooting

Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller has expressed the deep impact of the recent shooting of Apache Junction Police Officer Gabriel Facio on the law enforcement community.

Officer Facio remains in critical condition at a Valley hospital following a shooting incident early Monday morning. The suspect, Roger Nunez, 37, is also hospitalized after a gunfire exchange with police.

Miller emphasized that attacks on officers affect every member of the police force. “It’s like all of us are being attacked. Our government is being attacked,” he stated.

In a show of support, Miller visited Facio’s family at the hospital, reinforcing the community’s commitment to seeking justice. “We care about your family. We truly are part of a family,” he said.

The incident began when Officer Facio pulled over a Tesla driven by Nunez, who had reportedly brandished a firearm at other drivers. Footage indicates that Nunez fled on foot and opened fire, striking Facio in the face.

During the exchange, Nunez was shot by responding officers and is currently undergoing treatment after surgery.

Attempts to reach Nunez’s family for comment were unsuccessful. His brother abruptly ended a phone call when questioned about the incident.

Neighbors of Nunez reported he had recently moved to the Radiance neighborhood in Apache Junction and had not exhibited troubling behavior. Although he has no known criminal history in Arizona, investigators are exploring possible drug use as a contributing factor to the incident.

“Drugs, unfortunately, are part of a lot of these issues,” Miller noted, describing the situation as “unacceptable.” He assured the public that those accountable would face consequences once the facts emerge.

As of now, Nunez has not been formally charged, and he is considered innocent until proven guilty in court. Miller indicated that his office may apply “holding charges” to prevent his release while investigations continue, saying, “We do not want him running around the public.”