Arizona officer shot in face dies; suspect also dead

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — An officer who was shot in the face during a domestic violence call Saturday has died and a suspect fatally wounded himself, according to police.

Officer Tyler Stewart, 24, died at Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was transported after being shot by a man identified as Robert W. Smith, 28.

The officer contacted the suspect in Flagstaff for questioning, police spokeswoman Sgt. Margaret Bentzen said. Additional officers were dispatched after the officer's emergency button went off and dispatchers could no longer get a verbal reply from the officer, Bentzen said.

After shooting Stewart, the suspect then shot himself dead, police added.

Stewart was taken to the hospital in critical condition and then later died, police said.

Police are looking for another person involved in the domestic violence situation, but would not comment on that individual's involvement in the incident.

Stewart had worked at the department for less than a year, police said. He was a graduate of Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, Ariz., and Concordia College in California.

"This is an enormous tragedy for our department and the family of our Officer," Chief Kevin Treadway said in a statement. "We are a very close-knit organization, and know that all members of the Flagstaff Police Department are grieving at this time. With that being said, all of the men and women of the Flagstaff Police Department extend our prayers and condolences to the family of our Officer Tyler Stewart."

"It is heartbreaking to lose one of our officers," Mayor Jerry Nabours said. "We collectively mourn for his family and the entire department."

Contributing: The Associated Press