BUCKEYE POLICE DEPARTMENT

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

100 North Apache Rd., Suite D, Buckeye, Arizona 85326 Telephone (623) 349-6400 FAX (623) 349-6506 Always Ready, Professional and Committed to the People We Serve

_________________________________________________________________________

PRESS RELEASE
Officer Tamela Skaggs #3038 623-399-0845 On 3/9/2014 at 1240 hours Officers responded to the location of Maricopa 85 and Watkins st in Buckeye for a report of shots fired. Officers arrived on scene and located a victim who had suffered gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim is identified as 49 year old Overgaard resident, Michael Psalidas. Witnesses provided information that the suspect fled the scene in a Quik Pik Tow truck that was carrying a gray passenger car. Buckeye Criminal Investigators and Crime Scene Technician responded to process the scene. Witnesses assisted Buckeye Investigators with identifying the suspect and providing his description. Investigators began working with the tow truck company who was able to provide a location from a GPS unit in the tow truck that lead to a residence in Rainbow Valley near Elliot Rd and Rainbow Valley Rd. Buckeye and Goodyear Swat Units searched this residence where the suspect was not located. Investigators received information from leads that the suspect was now driving a silver Jaguar and was in the west phoenix area. At about 3:02 am this morning, Buckeye Units observed a subject matching the description of the suspect and the vehicle at the Quick Trip on 83rd ave and Mcdowell Rd. Buckeye units attempted a high risk stop on the vehicle leaving the Quick Trip when the vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Buckeye Police, Phoenix Police, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Patrol began pursuing the vehicle when the vehicle stopped on Rual and US 60 after the vehicle was disabled by spike strips. The suspect exited the vehicle and began shooting at officers. Officers returned fire shooting the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene. Information of a shooting in Glendale at an AM/PM matched the suspect and vehicle description of the Buckeye Shooting. The positive ID for the Glendale shooting is pending physical evidence, although Buckeye Investigators believe it is the same suspect. The suspect is identified as 25 year old Andrew Rael of Litchfield Park. Mr Rael was recently released from the Colorado Department of Corrections and has an extensive criminal history. Buckeye Detectives are still investigating the motive in the Buckeye shooting, but are being told by witnesses that the suspect purchased a gray passenger car on Saturday 3/8/2014 and the vehicle was having mechanical issues. The suspect had the vehicle towed from a Rainbow Valley home to the Don LaLo Auto shop in Buckeye. Witnesses advised of a possible dispute between the suspect and victim about payment for the tow when the suspect shot the victim.

Sergeant Jason Weeks #3189 Office (623) 349-6448 Cell (623) 694-0287 Officer Tamela Skaggs #3038 Office (623-349-6400 Cell (623) 399-0845 Buckeye Police Department Public Information Office

Andrew Rael

Sergeant Jason Weeks #3189 Office (623) 349-6448 Cell (623) 694-0287 Officer Tamela Skaggs #3038 Office (623-349-6400 Cell (623) 399-0845 Buckeye Police Department Public Information Office