UPDATE: DPS identifies 18-year-old killed in trooper-involved shooting on Arivaca Road

Eight people were in the vehicle that an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper pulled over on West Arivaca Road before the shooting Sunday, Dec. 4.(Courtesy: Arizona Dept. of Public Safety)
Published: Dec. 6, 2022 at 12:44 PM MST|Updated: Dec. 7, 2022 at 1:02 PM MST

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - The Arizona Department of Public Safety on Wednesday, Dec. 7, identified the smuggling suspect who was killed in a trooper-involved shooting on West Arivaca Road.

18-year-old Mark Limon of Tucson was the driver of a large sport utility vehicle that was carrying seven other occupants. DPS suspects that Limon was involved in human smuggling.

The shooting happened Sunday, Dec. 4, on West Arivaca Road south of Tucson. The trooper was injured, but the DPS did not release details about the injury.

The DPS said the incident began when the trooper stopped the SUV for multiple traffic violations and suspected criminal activity.

The trooper could not see through the SUV’s tinted windows and as he approached the vehicle, a passenger in the rear abruptly opened a door and confronted the trooper.

According to DPS, the trooper ordered Limon to turn off the vehicle and pointed his duty weapon at him during the confrontation, which DPS characterized as pre-planned.

Limon accelerated the vehicle with both the trooper and the rear passenger still partially in and out of the vehicle. The trooper, fearing for his safety and the safety of the passenger, fired one round, striking Limon. The trooper was not aware that Limon was struck.

The trooper ran back to his vehicle and pursued the SUV east on Arivaca Road until it stopped after traveling about one mile.

While waiting for backup, the trooper secured the occupants of the SUV and determined that Limon was injured from the shooting. After securing the SUV, the trooper began life-saving efforts on Limon. Law enforcement and fire/medical personnel continued the life-saving efforts but were unable to revive him.