A person of interest related to the discharging of a firearm in Sedona last month died earlier this week after getting into a shoot-out with deputies.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, March 22, at around 10:30 p.m., deputies were involved in an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of “an armed and dangerous fugitive” — 42-year-old Edward Laverne Kayer of Carefree.
Kayer was wanted by the Sedona Police Department in connection to a shooting incident that took place on Feb. 27.
Earlier on the day of the March 22 shoot-out, Sedona police received a tip that Kayer was in Prescott Valley and requested the assistance of Prescott Valley Police Department in locating him.
At around 2:15 p.m., PVPD located Kayer on a motorcycle and attempted to pull him over, YCSO reported. Kayer reportedly refused to stop and drove off into the Legend Hills Community.
PVPD officers coordinated a search of the community and surrounding areas and found evidence he dumped his motorcycle and took off on foot. YCSO deputies were called and saturated the area in an effort to find the suspect. In addition, the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Ranger helicopter was asked to provide air support during the search.
A Code Red emergency notification message was sent out to neighbors in the area letting them know an armed and dangerous suspect was in the area, along with a description of the suspect. YCSO received several calls from residents with tips on Kayer’s location.
Just after 10 p.m., deputies received a final tip from the public, stating that Kayer was hiding in a field in the area off Antelope Meadows Road near Dogtown Road. Three deputies headed into the area to search the field. YCSO reported that as deputies began their search, Kayer fired multiple shots at them, striking a patrol car. The deputies took cover while the DPS helicopter located the suspect and shined a spotlight on him.
Deputies returned fire. Kayer was shot and later pronounced dead at the scene.
“The area that the shooting took place was in an open field. It was extremely dark and our deputies were exposed, having to take cover immediately while trying to determine where the shots came from,” Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes said in a press release, adding he appreciated the public’s assistance in locating Kayer.
“Without the aerial support from the DPS Ranger that located the suspect and put a spotlight on Kayer, our deputies could have been seriously hurt or even killed. We are grateful for their help and so thankful our deputies weren’t injured by the suspect.”
Sgt. Michael Dominquez, of the Sedona Police Department, said his investigation was continuing when he got word of Monday’s incident. Two weeks ago, an Attempt to Locate was issued for Kayer after it was determined he was wanted for a parole violation out of Oregon.
At the age of 22, Kayer pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the shooting death of a 28-year-old male while living in Oregon. Dominguez said the parole violation stemmed from that case but he had no other details as to what the violation was that he committed.
The search for Kayer stemmed from an incident in Uptown Sedona nearly a month ago. According to police, they received a call of shots fired at 9:48 p.m. in the area near Sound Bites Grill and the Hyatt Piñon Pointe resort. A police report states that upon arrival an empty magazine from a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was located by Hyatt security near the main entrance. Upon further inspection, 13 9 mm shell casings were found in the roadway between Sound Bites and the Hyatt’s main lobby.
A witness told police on the night of the incident that they were “90% sure” Kayer was the one who fired multiple gunshots into the air in an unknown direction.
“There were multiple resort guests and restaurant patrons standing outside when the shots were fired,” a police report states.
It also states that Kayer and another male were dining at Sound Bites with two female companions. A witness reported that Kayer and the other male later engaged in an argument in which a firearm was produced.
