The Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday identified the second suspect in Monday’s shootout on an Amtrak train that was stopped in Tucson.
Dr. Gregory Hess said Darrion Taylor, 26, was the suspect shot and killed by law enforcement after opening fire on the train.
He and a second suspect, Devonte Okeith Mathis, were allegedly transporting about 50 kilograms of marijuana on the train from Los Angeles to New Orleans.
Mathis, who survived the deadly encounter, has been charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute it.
Acting on a tip, members of the Tucson Police Department boarded the train along with Pima County Counter Narcotics Alliance, which includes federal law enforcement agents.
When approached by authorities on the train, Mathis allegedly moved the bag containing the drugs away from his seat. That’s when Taylor began firing, striking two Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, and a Tucson police officer.
One of those DEA agents, Michael Garbo, was killed in the shootout.
Gov. Doug Ducey (R) ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in state buildings in Garbo’s honor.
“All of Arizona’s condolences are with [Michael Garbo’s] loved ones as well as the law enforcement community,” Ducey said in a statement. “Our prayers are also with the other officers who were injured in this attack. In honor of Group Supervisor Garbo’s life and service, I have ordered flags be lowered to half-staff.”
The other wounded DEA agent and the Tucson police officer both survived their injuries.
Hess also cleared up another detail of the incident.
After being shot, Taylor barricaded himself in the train’s bathroom, where he was later found dead.
Before the medical examination, authorities were unclear on whether Taylor died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, or whether he was killed by law enforcement.
Hess concluded that Taylor was shot to death in the torso and limbs and that the wounds were not self-inflicted.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is handling the investigation into the shooting.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
