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Morris Jones: Man murders ex-girlfriend, uses baby to bait cops before firing at them

Eventually, the 36-year-old suspect was also found dead inside his home but it’s not confirmed yet if he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: A man shot dead his ex-girlfriend before using their baby to bait police officers on whom he opened fire. The incident reportedly happened early Friday morning, February 11, when cops arrived at the scene after getting calls that Morris Jones had murdered his unidentified former partner.

According to reports, when officers reached the address at 54th Avenue and Elwood Street in Phoenix, Arizona, they found the suspect inside the house and as they surrounded it for further action, an unidentified man came out of the house with the baby. He reportedly placed the toddler on the floor before turning himself to the authorities. His role in the incident is not clear yet.

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However, when the cops went forward to save the baby, Jones began firing while injuring nine of them. Eventually, the 36-year-old suspect was also found dead inside his home but it’s not confirmed yet if he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said that out of the nine injured cops, four are receiving treatment in the hospital with one of them getting operated on. She expressed her disappointment over the senseless violence and said the footage of the incident “still gives me chills.”

But the police chief also praised the officers who without thinking about their safety went in to save the baby. “But as gunfire was raging out, our officers went in. As a baby was left on the door steps, our officers went to rescue her,” Williams added. Mayor Kate Gallego also expressed his concern as well as admired cops for their heroic actions. He said, “I cannot recall an incident in city history where so many officers were injured. A baby is safe today because of our Phoenix police officers.”

Law enforcement officials said the standoff started at around 2:15 in the morning on Friday when a cop responded to the call. He was reportedly asked to come inside the house before a gunman started firing, hitting the officer several times. However, the cop managed to save himself and was expected to be fine. “This is just one more example of the dangers that officers face every day keeping us and our community safe. If I seem upset, I am. This is senseless. It does not need to happen and it continues to happen over and over again,” Williams mentioned.

Reportedly, after the first cop reached the scene, backup officers also arrived following which the baby was kept on the porch and another man was captured. The case also involved a SWAT team to negotiate with the killer. The whole situation came to an end at around 7 am after a flash-bang was stationed by the cops and a SWAT officer entered the house, where the man was found dead and a woman was also found with critical injuries, who was later declared dead. The baby is, however, safe and sound.

Following the end of the standoff, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat from Arizona, tweeted: “Horrified by this violence against law enforcement working to keep our communities safe. We're thinking of everyone injured and hoping for full recoveries as we wait for more information.” Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican, also shared, “'Please continue to pray for the five officers injured this morning. Our men and women in blue work day and night—no matter the circumstances—to protect our state from danger. Their unwavering courage & sacrifice helps to keep us safe. Arizona is deeply grateful.”