Mesa shootings: 1 dead, 5 wounded; alleged gunman captured

Police in Mesa, Ariz., said they have captured an alleged gunman suspected of killing one person and wounding five others — one critically — in a shooting spree that rattled the Phoenix suburb Wednesday.

Aerial footage showed police leading a man in handcuffs and shackles and wearing a white bodysuit away from the apartment complex where he was caught.

Officials said the suspect was found in a vacant condo, where police used a Taser to apprehend him.

On CNN, Mesa Vice Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh called the arrest “a positive outcome to a very challenging morning.”

The shooter was initially described as a white male in his late 30s or early 40s, wearing a black T-shirt and either black pants or black shorts, and having large tattoos on his neck and face.

The suspect’s name was not immediately released, but according to KPNX-TV, police sources identified him as Ryan Giroux, a 41-year-old who spent more than six years in prison for aggravated assault.

According to court records, Giroux was sentenced in July 2007 to seven and half years in Arizona state prison after pleading guilty to attempted aggravated assault. Details of that case weren't immediately known.

He served a little more than six years in prison before being paroled in October 2013. But according to Maricopa County records, Giroux violated a condition of his release a year ago and was placed back on probation through October 2016.

The shootings occurred Wednesday morning at several locations, including a restaurant across the street from the East Valley Institute of Technology, which was immediately put under lockdown. Mesa Community College’s Southern and Dobson campus was also placed on lockdown as a precaution.

“Do not approach the campus,” a message on the community college’s website read. “If you are on campus, please proceed to the nearest safe location and secure yourself inside.”

A heavy police presence was seen in the area, and residents were asked to remain indoors as authorities conducted a door-to-door search.

Aerial footage showed SWAT teams swarming the area in search of the gunman.

The shooting spree began at about 8:40 a.m. MT at the Tri-City Inn, where three people were shot — one of them fatally — after an argument, police said. The gunman then ran to a nearby restaurant, where one East Valley student was shot. He then stole a car — a gray Honda Accord — from an employee at the restaurant and attempted a pair of separate home invasions, where he shot two people, police said.

“We will find this suspect,” Mesa Interim Police Chief John Meza told reporters at a news conference earlier Wednesday afternoon. “We need the eyes and ears of everybody out there.”

On Twitter, Arizona Sen. John McCain offered his thoughts and prayers for the victims.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey did the same.

“I’ve spoken to Mayor Giles and offered the full support and resources of the state in handling this senseless shooting,” Ducey said in a statement. “I’ve also directed the Arizona Department of Public Safety to assist Mesa with any and all resources required. Right now, our hearts and prayers are with the people of Mesa, the individuals affected by this tragedy, and all law enforcement and first responders working to assist the victims.”

— Jason Sickles contributed to this report.