Arizona tribal police officer and suspect killed

Authorities say a tribal police officer and a suspect were killed early Monday in eastern Arizona after the officer responded to reports of gunfire near a casino. The Navajo County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that the White Mountain Apache Tribe officer was called to the area near the tribe's Hon-Dah Resort-Casino south of Pinetop-Lakeside and located a suspect.

The officer and the suspect engaged in what was described as a "very violent physical altercation" and the officer was shot, Chief Deputy Brian Swanty of Navajo County Sheriff's Office told a news conference Monday.

A second officer then arrived and shot the male suspect, Swanty said.

"It hurts to lose someone that is a protector of his family, a protector of his surrounding community, is a protector of his people and a protector of White Mountain Apache Tribe", said tribe Chief of Staff Jerry Gloshay, Jr.

The suspect and the officer were taken to a local hospital where both died.

The officer was identified by a tribal councilman as David Kellywood, 26.

Gov Doug Ducey ordered flags lowered to half-staff Tuesday to honor Kellywood, who joined the department nine months ago and was a member of the tribe.

The sheriff's office said the FBI was leading the investigation into the shooting.

Pinetop-Lakeside is about 180 miles east of Phoenix.

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