On January 24, 2012 around 5:00 pm Chandler officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of South Vine St. in response to a report of a man threatening suicide with a gun. When officers arrived they learned that an elderly woman was inside the home with the man who was threatening suicide. In an attempt to remove the woman from harm’s way, officers entered onto the property.
Before reaching the house, the officers spotted the subject, 72-year-old Edward Flener. When the officers called out to Mr. Flener, he pointed a handgun at the officers. Officer Brian Dunn, a four-year veteran of the Department, was forced to fire his weapon at the subject.
Mr. Flener was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Officer Dunn has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard Department protocol, and the investigation is ongoing. This tragic incident is a sad reminder of the actions police officers are sometimes forced to take to protect themselves and others from imminent death.
For more information please contact Detective Seth Tyler at (480) 782-4105.