An Arizona man accused of the attempted murder of a police officer and injuring his partner now faces a murder charge and a life sentence in prison, authorities say.
After a three-hour search for the suspect, 41-year-old Saul Bal was placed in custody by authorities, which led to several city blocks and streets closing.
Phoenix Police Officer Zane Coolidge and Officer Matthew Haney had responded to a break-in in the neighborhood along 16th and Brill streets. Upon arrival, they spotted Bal. As they approached him, the suspect fled the scene, and soon, a chase ensued.
During the chase, the suspect suddenly shot at both officers, striking Coolidge and injuring Haney after being hit in his ballistic vest as they fired back. Both men were rushed to the hospital, but Coolidge later succumbed to his wounds.
“Officer Coolidge was a husband, father, son, brother, friend, and a dedicated and beloved member of the Phoenix Police Department. He has been surrounded by loved ones and blanketed in the prayers of this community. Officer Coolidge’s legacy will forever be a part of this department,” said Interim Chief of Police Michael Sullivan, according to Dakota News Now.
The suspect was initially booked with two counts of attempted murder, one count of criminal trespassing, and one count related to weapons. Now, due to Coolidge’s demise, Bal’s charges are deemed for an upgrade to a murder charge.
Bal, who is a known entity to the Phoenix Police Department, had been arrested in May 2023 and recommended to be charged by prosecutors with felony drug charges and a misdemeanor trespass charge. Later, the suspect was released, and charges were dropped after Maricopa County prosecutors referred the case back to the police for a drug lab analysis, which was never carried out. The Phoenix Police Department believed that If Bal had been prosecuted, he would have been sentenced to several years in prison at the time.
However, Prosecutors pushed back, stating if Bal had been sentenced at the time, he would have been released already and would still be in a position to have perpetrated the killing of the officer.
The suspect has a record of 40 criminal charges within a seventeen-year span.
Bal denies shooting the officers.
"I know they're saying that I shot 'em — shot at 'em or something like that — but I didn't have a gun," Bal said, reported AZ Central.
The defendant is currently being held on a $2 million cash-only bond.
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