Police critically wound suspect during Lake Havasu City drug raid

An Arizona man was critically wounded by Lake Havasu City police early Wednesday during a drug raid.

The Kingman Police Department is conducting an independent review of the officer-involved shooting at 12:40 a.m. in the 1600 block of S. Palo Verde Boulevard.

Kingman Deputy Police Chief Rusty Cooper said SWAT team officers were executing a drug-related search warrant inside a home when 21-year-old Charlie Gonzalez raised a handgun and fired one round at the officers.

“At least two officers returned fire, shooting Gonzalez multiple times,” Cooper said. “Officers were not injured.”

Cooper said Gonzalez was rushed to Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in extremely critical condition.

The two unidentified officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol in police-involved shootings. It is also customary in Arizona to have another law enforcement agency to conduct independent investigations of shootings involving officers from other agencies.