San Tan Valley, Arizona – July 17, 2025 — What began as a routine traffic stop escalated into a deadly confrontation Thursday evening when Melissa Mills, 46, of Apache Junction, was fatally shot after allegedly firing a weapon at deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). The incident, which took place outside a Fry’s grocery store near North Gantzel and East Combs roads, ended a high-speed pursuit and has left a community shaken and searching for answers.
According to the PCSO, the situation unfolded around 7:51 p.m., when a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop near Gantzel Road and Pecan Creek Drive. Mills reportedly refused to pull over, instead leading law enforcement on a dangerous six-minute chase through residential neighborhoods, driving at high speeds and exhibiting what authorities called a “complete disregard for public safety.”
Sheriff Ross Teeple detailed the encounter in a press briefing, calling Mills’ driving “reckless” and describing the event as a rapidly escalating threat. The pursuit came to a sudden end when Mills lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a ditch not far from the Fry’s parking lot. Deputies quickly surrounded the vehicle and issued multiple verbal commands for her to surrender.
But, according to PCSO reports, Mills reached into the dashboard, retrieved a handgun, and opened fire. One of the rounds struck the window of a patrol vehicle—narrowly missing a deputy’s head by mere inches. In response to the perceived threat, a sergeant and two deputies returned fire, fatally striking Mills. She was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Authorities described Mills’ actions as attempted murder and aggravated assault on law enforcement. Investigators also noted that she had reportedly used her vehicle in an attempt to ram a patrol car during the chase—a detail that underscores the escalating danger deputies faced in the moments leading to the shootout.
During the exchange of gunfire, a deputy suffered a minor eye injury from a glass fragment after a bullet shattered a vehicle window. He was treated and released from a nearby hospital. Sheriff Teeple acknowledged the injury as minor but emphasized the seriousness of the threat deputies encountered: “This wasn’t just a traffic stop gone wrong. This was a person determined to endanger lives—both law enforcement and the public.”
Also inside the vehicle was a male passenger, who sustained minor injuries during the crash and confrontation. He was transported to the hospital for evaluation and later taken into custody on an unrelated traffic warrant issued in Maricopa County. His name has not yet been released, and authorities are continuing to investigate his involvement, if any, in the events of the night.
The investigation into the shooting remains active. Mills’ vehicle has been impounded, and law enforcement is preparing a search warrant to gather further evidence, including potential contraband or additional firearms. The bodycam footage from the deputies involved has not yet been released but may be made public as the case progresses.
Records reveal that Melissa Mills had a criminal history involving multiple encounters with law enforcement. In May 2024, she was arrested on charges including unlawful flight from law enforcement, driving with a suspended license, possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Those charges had led to court proceedings that were still unresolved at the time of her death.
As is standard procedure, the three deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal and external investigations. Sheriff Teeple reaffirmed the department’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal behavior: “This is Arizona, and this is Pinal County. If you commit a criminal offense here, we’re going to take action. Our deputies responded to a direct threat, and their bravery likely saved lives.”
The incident has reignited discussions around use-of-force policies, mental health considerations, and the risks law enforcement officers face daily. While Melissa Mills’ actions at the time of the confrontation will be scrutinized through the investigative process, her death also marks a tragic ending to what appears to be a long and troubled journey.
Mills is survived by members of her family and community who are now left to reconcile the circumstances surrounding her death. Her life, marked by both struggle and confrontation, ended in violence that shocked even seasoned officers.
As the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation, the public awaits further details about what led to this fatal encounter—and how it might have been prevented.
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