Latest news with #Facio
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Community rallies around injured AJPD Officer Gabriel Facio
The Brief The community continues its outpouring of support for Apache Junction Police Officer Gabriel Facio. He was badly injured in a shooting on June 2 by an alleged road rage suspect. APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - Four days after an Apache Junction Police officer was shot in the face, the community is supporting his family and department as he continues to fight for his life. What we know Not only is there a GoFundMe for Officer Gabriel Facio, but community members have shown up to the Apache Junction Police Department headquarters to drop off notes and flowers to show the department they care during this time. Officer Facio on June 2 was shot in the face by an alleged road rage suspect after he was pulled over. The suspect, 37-year-old Roger Nunez, was also injured in the shooting. On June 5, a group decorated the hospital with blue ribbons to show the Facio family they are thinking of them and supporting them. Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller says he met with the family in the hospital as Officer Facio, a husband and father of two, is fighting for his life. "The men and women in blue go out every single day, risking their lives, their careers, and it truly affects us all. It shakes us to the core," Miller said. Miller is holding onto faith. "If there is anyone out there who does believe in God and does pray, this is the time," he said. That's why, as the founder of Operation Blue Ribbon, a group focused on supporting law enforcement, Anne Ender wanted to show up and do something. "We hope others will get some blue ribbon up on their trees or put a blue light on their porch light, and that will rise up so the Facio family will really know that they are being supported," Ender said. She uses vivid blue ribbons to tie together a profound symbol. "We just want this family to know that we are praying for them and supporting them," Ender said. What you can do You can leave a message for Officer Facio by clicking here. If you want to donate to Officer Facio's GoFundMe, click here.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Apache Junction officer in critical condition after shooting: Chief says he's a 'fighter'
Apache Junction police have identified the officer critically wounded June 2 by a driver with a "ghost gun" as Officer Gabriel Facio, a three-year veteran of the agency. Police Chief Michael Pooley said on June 3 that Facio remained in critical condition a day after he was shot in what escalated from a road rage incident. Facio, a married father of two, was "kind of the heartbeat of our department," Pooley said. He called Facio a "fighter," but asked for support from the Apache Junction community. "It is heartbreaking to see one of your strong, tough officers in a very dire situation," Pooley said. "So again we ask for prayers and comfort for the family, support from the community." The incident began just after 9 a.m. June 2, when officers responded to the area of Ironwood Drive and Elliott Road on reports of a driver brandishing a gun, the chief said. An officer found the vehicle matching the description — a white Tesla — and stopped it, Pooley said. The driver was compliant and "showed no signs of aggression whatsoever," the chief said. When the officer asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, he pulled a handgun from the glove box, got out, and began walking away, Pooley said. Officers followed the man as he walked south on Ironwood Drive with the firearm for about a mile, Pooley said. "He did say at some point that he wanted the officer to shoot him," the chief said. Officers tried to get the man to stop and used a pepper ball gun, but it "had no effect on him whatsoever," the chief said. Near Radiance Avenue, the man made "a quick move" and fired four rounds, hitting Facio in the face, Pooley said. Four other officers returned fire, and one then took Facio in a patrol vehicle to the hospital for treatment, Pooley said. They were placed on paid administrative leave as part of the routine response to an officer-involved shooting. Apache Junction police identified the driver of the white Tesla as Roger Nunez, 37, of Apache Junction. The handgun he used was a "ghost gun," Pooley said. He did not provide specifics about the weapon. Generally, ghost guns are those that do not have a traceable serial number. They are sometimes 3-D printed. Pooley said Mesa police were investigating the incident and would recommend Nunez be charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault. The chief said the officers who responded saved Facio's life. "Had those officers not reacted the way they did, Officer Facio would have lost his life yesterday on that street," the chief said. "There's no doubt in my mind." Pooley said Facio was known for supporting his fellow law enforcement officers and had "a great attitude." Facio previously worked briefly in Phoenix. "He's just a wonderful human being and one of my personal favorites. I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I'll tell you he is one of my favorites," the chief said. "He really is just the heartbeat of this department. And it's very, very difficult for our officers right now." News alerts in your inbox: Don't miss the important news of the day. Sign up for azcentral newsletter alerts to be in the know. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Apache Junction officer in critical condition is 'fighter,' chief says
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Apache Junction officer in critical condition after shooting: Chief says he's a 'fighter'
Apache Junction police have identified the officer critically wounded June 2 by a driver with a "ghost gun" as Officer Gabriel Facio, a three-year veteran of the agency. Police Chief Michael Pooley said on June 3 that Facio remained in critical condition a day after he was shot in what escalated from a road rage incident. Facio, a married father of two, was "kind of the heartbeat of our department," Pooley said. He called Facio a "fighter," but asked for support from the Apache Junction community. "It is heartbreaking to see one of your strong, tough officers in a very dire situation," Pooley said. "So again we ask for prayers and comfort for the family, support from the community." The incident began just after 9 a.m. June 2, when officers responded to the area of Ironwood Drive and Elliott Road on reports of a driver brandishing a gun, the chief said. An officer found the vehicle matching the description — a white Tesla — and stopped it, Pooley said. The driver was compliant and "showed no signs of aggression whatsoever," the chief said. When the officer asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, he pulled a handgun from the glove box, got out, and began walking away, Pooley said. Officers followed the man as he walked south on Ironwood Drive with the firearm for about a mile, Pooley said. "He did say at some point that he wanted the officer to shoot him," the chief said. Officers tried to get the man to stop and used a pepper ball gun, but it "had no effect on him whatsoever," the chief said. Near Radiance Avenue, the man made "a quick move" and fired four rounds, hitting Facio in the face, Pooley said. Four other officers returned fire, and one then took Facio in a patrol vehicle to the hospital for treatment, Pooley said. They were placed on paid administrative leave as part of the routine response to an officer-involved shooting. Apache Junction police identified the driver of the white Tesla as Roger Nunez, 37, of Apache Junction. The handgun he used was a "ghost gun," Pooley said. He did not provide specifics about the weapon. Generally, ghost guns are those that do not have a traceable serial number. They are sometimes 3-D printed. Pooley said Mesa police were investigating the incident and would recommend Nunez be charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault. The chief said the officers who responded saved Facio's life. "Had those officers not reacted the way they did, Officer Facio would have lost his life yesterday on that street," the chief said. "There's no doubt in my mind." Pooley said Facio was known for supporting his fellow law enforcement officers and had "a great attitude." Facio previously worked briefly in Phoenix. "He's just a wonderful human being and one of my personal favorites. I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I'll tell you he is one of my favorites," the chief said. "He really is just the heartbeat of this department. And it's very, very difficult for our officers right now." News alerts in your inbox: Don't miss the important news of the day. Sign up for azcentral newsletter alerts to be in the know. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Apache Junction officer in critical condition is 'fighter,' chief says
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Missouri Comic Con kicks off in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — This weekend, thousands are gathering at the Springfield Expo Center for the Missouri Comic Con, which is hosting a number of big names. While at the con, Ozarks First spoke with a unique comic book collector. Frank Facio lives in Springfield and first started collecting comic books when he was a child, but stopped for decades after losing his sight. Now, Facio is back in the game. 'I like comic books so much, I wanted to get back into it,' says Facio. 'I can still enjoy it, even though I can't read it or see the pictures and the covers.' Facio's wife will describe comic books to him, and he can then determine which ones he wants to buy. 'I also like to buy them already graded so that way I know when I'm buying a 9.8 or a 6.0 or something, then I know that's what it is because obviously grading is subjective,' says Facio. Many people who make a living buying and selling comic books are at the con. Mario Russo, who has sold comics since the 80s, says cons like this one make his life possible. 'There are the big shows sure. And there are six, eight, ten, twelve a year. But in between, if you do this full time, you need the smaller venues to do it to make a living out of it,' says Russo. Facio spent some time at Russo's comic book stand. He says his inability to see does not hinder his knowledge of comics. 'He was reading the titles and the numbers in the grade. And of course, I tell him, 'Oh yeah, that's so and so'. That's because these are older books and I know a lot of the older books that I can rattle off,' says Facio. Many notable people are attending this weekend's Comic-Con, including Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob Squarepants, Jim Cummings, the voice of Winnie the Pooh and actor Ron Perlman. Caitlin Every says this is something she appreciates about the Missouri Comic Con. 'I think it's a cool opportunity for people locally to meet big celebrities too, that don't normally come to areas like this,' says Every. 'So I think it's cool, People get to meet people they've always looked up or maybe have always watched on TV.' Each person who spoke with Ozarksfirst says the best part about Comic Con is the community. 'It's really good because you can just talk about stuff I know. And even though I can't see the art anymore or whatever, that's okay,' says Facio. 'I mean, knowing that I have it is good enough for me.' Facio also says that nowadays, he has apps that use AI to describe the covers of comics to him. Missouri Comic Con runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 16th. A link to buy tickets can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
