Police in Apache Junction release video and details on suspect in Officer Gabriel Facio’s murder
The Apache Junction Police Department recently released a critical incident briefing video with details about Roger Nunez, the man accused of fatally shooting Officer Gabriel Facio. The video, narrated by Commander Cindy Ewer, provides insight into the officer-involved shooting that led to Facio’s tragic death.
In the footage, an officer can be seen conducting a traffic stop of Nunez, who is seen grabbing a gun from his white Tesla’s glove compartment, leading to the escalation of the situation. The officer is heard commanding Nunez to drop the weapon. Nunez exits his vehicle with the gun in hand, sparking an armed confrontation with multiple officers on the scene.
During the confrontation, Nunez is captured on witness video shooting at the officers, tragically hitting Officer Facio in the head. This act left Facio in critical condition for six days until his passing at a nearby Mesa-area hospital. Nunez, seen on the video ignoring officers’ orders, was shot in the torso by an AJPD officer and subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Following his treatment, Nunez was incarcerated at the Pinal County Jail, facing serious charges that include first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, and two counts of disorderly conduct with a weapon. He remains in custody on a $2 million cash-only bond while awaiting the legal process.
The investigation into this tragic incident involved various Valley and Pinal County law enforcement agencies. The Mesa Police Department took the lead in examining this case as part of the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team, a collective effort by police departments from Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe.
Authorities have confirmed that after reviewing all reports and recordings, there was no evidence to suggest charging any of the officers involved in this incident. The Pinal County Attorney’s Office Officer-Involved Shooting Committee found no grounds for legal actions against the officers.
The Apache Junction Police Department released the critical incident briefing video to the press, advising viewer discretion due to its graphic content. This footage provides a unique perspective on the events leading to the tragic death of Officer Facio and exhibits the challenging circumstances faced by law enforcement officers in such dangerous situations.