Marc Payne mugshot.
Marc Laquon Payne is accused of intentionally ramming his car into three Phoenix police officers in what the police chief called an “intentional” act.
Fox 10 reported, “Police say 44-year-old Marc LaQuon Payne aimed at the officers and stepped on the gas, plowing into them.”
The officers were seriously injured but are expected to survive, according to a statement from Phoenix police.
The incident comes in the wake of the intentional targeting of police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Dallas, Texas this summer.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Police Released a Surveillance Video Showing the Car Plowing Into the Three Officers
Phoenix police chief Joe Yahner released a graphic video of the moment the car ran into the three officers, sending one of them flying.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Yahner wrote that the three “officers had just completed a call for service and were standing in the parking lot in front of the store debriefing the incident when the suspect drove his vehicle directly at them attempting to run them over.”
He alleged that “the suspect vehicle struck two of the officers, collided into a police vehicle and crashed into the QT causing extensive damage. The suspect then struggled violently with the officers for several minutes before being taken into custody. The two officers struck by the vehicle sustained serious but not life threatening injuries. The third officer was able to jump out of the way but sustained some injuries during the extended struggle with the suspect.”
2. Payne Was Described as a ‘Transient’ & One of the Officers Was Serving His First Day on the Job
The moment a car drives toward three Phoenix Police officers. (Facebook/Phoenix Police Department)
Fox 10 said the car sent “a 33-year-old officer on his first day on the job cartwheeling through the air.”
According to The Chicago Tribune, a “41-year-old police sergeant suffered a broken leg, a 36-year-old veteran officer had minor injuries and a 33-year-old officer on his first day of training suffered a head injury.”
CBS News reported that court documents released September 14 “described Payne as a transient without community ties. The documents also said that Payne was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.”
3. Police Alleged That Payne Targeted the Officers Intentionally
Suspect accused of running over 3 Phoenix officers taken to jail; Marc L Payne facing 3 cts att murder #fox10phoenix
Chief Yahner wrote on Facebook: “This morning, outside the QT at 2500 W. Camelback, three of our officers were the victims of a violent, intentional attack.”
Yahner also said, according to Fox News, “I’ve never seen so many senseless, violent acts targeting law enforcement.”
AZCentral.com reported that Yahner also said, “Our Phoenix police officers were targeted.”
4. The Police Chief Called the Officers ‘Heroic’
Phoenix Police Chief Joe Yahner: “Thank goodness we’re not planning three funerals.” t.co/TwwI055piS
Chief Yahner praised the actions of the three officers.
“As a Department, we are very fortunate these officers were not killed or more seriously injured,” he wrote on Facebook.
“We are living in uncertain times, and this is yet another reminder of how important it is to stay vigilant, and to watch out for one another. The actions taken by our officers in the immediate moments following this incident were nothing short of heroic. I am so proud of them and all the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department.”
5. Payne Was Previously Arrested for Kicking an Officer, Reports Say
Marc L Payne previously arrested for assaulting 3 Phoenix officers in 1997. Now faces attempt murder #fox10phoenix
According to KPNX-TV, Payne was “arrested in 1997 for kicking an officer during a roadside encounter.”
He received two years probation, the station said.
According to ABC 15, the officers attacked in the earlier incident “told the court they believed the man would attack officers again if he were ever arrested.”