The Lake Havasu City Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on January 19, 2022, in Bullhead City, Az.

On January 19, 2022, at approximately 5:35 pm, officers with the Bullhead City Police Department were dispatched to the 2400 block of HWY 95 in Bullhead City, Az. in reference to a report of an armed robbery. When officers arrived in the area, they located the suspect leaving in a vehicle. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Miracle Mile and N. Oatman Rd., but the suspect vehicle failed to stop, and a short vehicle pursuit ensued. Eventually, the suspect stopped and displayed a firearm. As a result of the confrontation, two officers shot at the suspect, who was struck by one round in the jaw area while she was seated in her vehicle. The suspect was transported to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where she was admitted and in stable condition. No officers were injured during the incident.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, 83-year-old Laughlin, Nevada resident Patsy Thompson had previously shot her dog at her residence and then attempted to bring her dog to a veterinarian clinic in Fort Mohave, Az. for treatment. When she was advised that the animal was deceased and no treatment could be administered, she left the clinic and went to a pharmacy located in the 2400 block of HWY 95 in Bullhead City, Az. When she arrived, she entered the business brandishing a handgun and demanded prescription medication from the employee. After the robbery, she fled the scene and was encountered by the responding officers, which led to the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation is ongoing. The names of the officers involved in the incident are not being released at this time. It is standard protocol to have an outside agency investigate an officer-involved shooting incident.

Public Information Officer: Sergeant Tyler Tribolet