PHOENIX, AZ - The suspect arrested and charged with shooting two Phoenix police officers on Tuesday, September 3rd, resulting in the death of 29-year-old Zane Coolridge, who had served on the force for five years, was a man with a long criminal history including having charges dropped for a felony last year.
According to the Post Millennial, the suspect, 41-year-old Saul Bal, was arrested on a potential felony and misdemeanor charge in 2023, but the charges were never filed and the case reportedly "disappeared from the public record." Bal was out on parole when he shot at the two officers, resulting in the death of Officer Coolridge, who died three days after the incident.
Bal is facing a first-degree murder charge along with several other charges. Fox 10 reported that at his initial court hearing, prosecutors argued that he posed an extreme danger to the community and so a judge upheld a cash bond of $2 million. They reiterated that sentiment at his appearance on Saturday, September 7th, while they added the charge of murder to his case.
Bal's criminal history is extensive, with 40 criminal charges over the last 17 years, including at least 18 charges that were dropped. His record includes several prison sentences in Arizona as well as a two-year stint in a California jail.
In May 2023, Bal was arrested and booked into a Maricopa County jail where police recommended felony drug charges and a misdemeanor trespassing charge. However, the case never progressed to the trial or even the charging stage. It reportedly "disappeared" from the public. In April 2024, Bal was sentenced to six months in prison in Navajo County on drug paraphernalia charges, but served only three months before being released on parole in July. His parole was set to expire on September 23rd.
If the charges from 2023 had been pursued, Bal would have likely received a multi-year prison sentence and been incarcerated at the time of Officer Coolridge's death. That, however, is not the case and he was instead out on parole.
The shooting happened near 15th Street and McDowell Road. The two officers responded to the area on reports of someone breaking into a car. When they arrived, the suspect ran and jumped a fence. Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan said that that's when his officers ran after the suspect, but that they were then quickly met with gunfire.
Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association said, "I don't really want to talk about the suspect because he doesn't deserve our breath. But I will tell you that it's infuriating that someone with a long criminal history like his would be allowed to be out among the community and continue. He has demonstrated that he's a drain on society, not a positive influence."
Officer Coolridge died from his injuries three days after the shooting. Sullivan said in a statement, "It is with a heavy heart and incredible sadness that I let you know of the passing of Phoenix Police Officer Zane Coolridge." The officer was a husband, father, son, brother, and a "dedicated and beloved member of the Phoenix Police Department."
Sullivan said that his officers have been shot at on 11 occasions so far in 2024. Coolridge's partner, Officer Matthew Haney, was wounded during the shooting, but has been released from the hospital. He has two years on the force and is now recovering at home. One officer was able to return fire after Bal shot at them, but the suspect was not struck. Detectives recovered a firearm they believe Bal used in the shooting.
In a statement, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said, "I continue to keep the two officers injured in my thoughts and ask the entire Phoenix community to join me in supporting their families and our department through this difficult time. The perpetrator's unconscionable act of gun violence against our officers is a stark reminder that their service to our city comes with serious risk and sacrifice, for which we are immensely grateful."
According to the Post Millennial, the suspect, 41-year-old Saul Bal, was arrested on a potential felony and misdemeanor charge in 2023, but the charges were never filed and the case reportedly "disappeared from the public record." Bal was out on parole when he shot at the two officers, resulting in the death of Officer Coolridge, who died three days after the incident.
Bal is facing a first-degree murder charge along with several other charges. Fox 10 reported that at his initial court hearing, prosecutors argued that he posed an extreme danger to the community and so a judge upheld a cash bond of $2 million. They reiterated that sentiment at his appearance on Saturday, September 7th, while they added the charge of murder to his case.
Bal's criminal history is extensive, with 40 criminal charges over the last 17 years, including at least 18 charges that were dropped. His record includes several prison sentences in Arizona as well as a two-year stint in a California jail.
In May 2023, Bal was arrested and booked into a Maricopa County jail where police recommended felony drug charges and a misdemeanor trespassing charge. However, the case never progressed to the trial or even the charging stage. It reportedly "disappeared" from the public. In April 2024, Bal was sentenced to six months in prison in Navajo County on drug paraphernalia charges, but served only three months before being released on parole in July. His parole was set to expire on September 23rd.
If the charges from 2023 had been pursued, Bal would have likely received a multi-year prison sentence and been incarcerated at the time of Officer Coolridge's death. That, however, is not the case and he was instead out on parole.
The shooting happened near 15th Street and McDowell Road. The two officers responded to the area on reports of someone breaking into a car. When they arrived, the suspect ran and jumped a fence. Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan said that that's when his officers ran after the suspect, but that they were then quickly met with gunfire.
Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association said, "I don't really want to talk about the suspect because he doesn't deserve our breath. But I will tell you that it's infuriating that someone with a long criminal history like his would be allowed to be out among the community and continue. He has demonstrated that he's a drain on society, not a positive influence."
Officer Coolridge died from his injuries three days after the shooting. Sullivan said in a statement, "It is with a heavy heart and incredible sadness that I let you know of the passing of Phoenix Police Officer Zane Coolridge." The officer was a husband, father, son, brother, and a "dedicated and beloved member of the Phoenix Police Department."
Sullivan said that his officers have been shot at on 11 occasions so far in 2024. Coolridge's partner, Officer Matthew Haney, was wounded during the shooting, but has been released from the hospital. He has two years on the force and is now recovering at home. One officer was able to return fire after Bal shot at them, but the suspect was not struck. Detectives recovered a firearm they believe Bal used in the shooting.
In a statement, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said, "I continue to keep the two officers injured in my thoughts and ask the entire Phoenix community to join me in supporting their families and our department through this difficult time. The perpetrator's unconscionable act of gun violence against our officers is a stark reminder that their service to our city comes with serious risk and sacrifice, for which we are immensely grateful."
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