Melissa Mills dies in fatal San Tan Valley shooting
Fatal San Tan Valley shooting death of Melissa Mills
On the evening of July 17, a 46-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene following an altercation with Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies in San Tan Valley. According to investigators, the incident began with officers initiating a traffic stop, leading to a high-speed chase and subsequent gunfire.
Pinal County Sheriff’s Office officials revealed that the pursuit commenced after a sergeant stopped a vehicle in the Gantzel and Pecan Creek area. The driver, later identified as Melissa Mills, failed to comply with the stop and engaged in an aggravated assault on the sergeant before the chase escalated. Approximately six minutes into the pursuit, the vehicle crashed near Combs and Gantzel, prompting a shootout with the deputies.
Captain Hunter Rankin confirmed that preliminary evidence indicated the suspect discharged a firearm at the officers. Medical examiners declared Mills deceased at the location. One deputy sustained injuries, described as non-critical, and received treatment at a hospital.
During a press conference on July 18, Sheriff Ross Teeple identified Mills as the suspect and highlighted the risks posed during the incident. He emphasized that the crash occurred in a residential neighborhood with a 25 mph speed limit, underscoring the disregard for public safety.
Further details from the sheriff’s office revealed that the female driver retrieved a handgun from the dashboard and fired at deputies hiding behind their vehicles. At least one bullet struck a patrol window, narrowly missing a deputy by inches. The injured officer suffered injuries from flying glass fragments.
Mills’ involvement with law enforcement is not new; she was arrested in May 2024 on charges including unlawful flight, driving with a suspended license, and drug-related offenses. A male passenger, who was uninjured, was transported to the hospital and later arrested on a traffic warrant.
The incident remains under active investigation, with all involved deputies placed on administrative leave. Questions surrounding the initial reason for the traffic stop and other details have yet to be fully addressed.
