A Tucson Police SWAT officer runs down North Palo Verde Avenue to a shooting scene at Lind Commons apartments on Thursday.

 Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star

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A Pima County constable and three others are dead after gunfire erupted during an eviction in Tucson Thursday, police confirmed.

Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, 43, went to serve an eviction notice Thursday at Lind Commons, 3493 E. Lind Road, and was killed while there.

Also dead are a female employee of the apartment complex; the male suspect in the killings; and a person whose gender was not released and whose relationship to the suspect wasn't known, police said late Thursday.

Police said they were still notifying family members of the deceased and will likely release the three names on Friday.

Martinez-Garibay and the employee of the complex were both at the apartment to serve the eviction notice to the suspect, police said, adding that investigators were unsure of exactly how the incident unfolded. Police released no other details.Β 

Deborah Martinez-GaribayΒ 

Associate presiding constable Bill Lake said earlier Thursday that a resident of the apartment shot through a window at a person standing outside. The resident then went outside and shot that same person, who was not the constable, Lake said.

The court record for the eviction at that address for this week shows the person who was to be evicted as Gavin Lee Stansell.

Pima County Justice Court records show that an eviction hearing for Stansell’s case was held Monday, Aug. 22. The eviction order was issued on Tuesday, Aug. 23, the records show.

Stansell had previously threatened another resident with a firearm, and β€œhas otherwise disturbed the peace,” a court document says.

The complex is near East Fort Lowell Road and North Palo Verde Avenue.

A constable and two others were reportedly killed at the Lind Commons apartment complex in Tucson on Thursday. East Lind Road and North Palo Verde Ave.

When police arrived at the scene, Martinez-Garibay’s car was parked at the complex with her purse and personal phone inside.

Martinez-Garibay was appointed to the constable’s position in March to replace Kristen Randall, who resigned from the position serving Justice Precinct 8, which covers the midtown area.

Tucson Police officers talk with a Pima County constable at a roadblock on Palo Verde Avenue just south of Lind Road at the shooting scene at Lind Commons apartments on Thursday.

Randall said Thursday she was shocked but not surprised to hear of the incident.

β€œWe just show up and make entry to people’s homes,” Randall said of the constables’ jobs.

Evictions are surging in Pima County as housing prices spike. So-called writs of restitution, the judicial orders that prompt an eviction, were issued 2,345 times through the end of July this year compared to 2,318 times for all of 2021.

Martinez-Garibay served 16 years in the Army, worked with homeless veterans and ran an adaptive golf program for veterans called PGA HOPE.

The 43-year-old Pima County constable was killed in a shooting Thursday while serving an eviction notice at Lind Commons, a Tucson apartment complex. Three others are dead, including the suspect and an employee of the apartment complex at 3493 E. Lind Road. Video by Jesse Tellez/Arizona Daily Star.

When she was appointed as constable, she said she was motivated to seek the position for reasons similar to why she was drawn to join the Army.

β€œI joined (the Army) after Sept. 11, and I just felt that it was wrong for me to sit at home when I knew that I could contribute,” Martinez-Garibay said in March. β€œIt’s the same thing with serving my community, I can see a need.”

She said she planned to approach evictions with β€œempathy and humanity.”

β€œWhen I deal with the people that I have to evict, I understand that’s my responsibility, but they’re still people,” she said. β€œJust giving some basic dignity and respect can go so far in helping these people rebuild their lives.”

Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff Friday, Aug. 26.

β€œThe loss of Constable Deborah Martinez is felt across our state,” Ducey said in a written statement. β€œWhether it was serving in the U.S. Army or carrying out her duties as a constable for Pima County, she dedicated her life to helping others and her community. Constable Martinez was a Tucson native who will be remembered for the way she treated others with dignity and respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family, as well as those who also lost their lives in today’s tragic events.”

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Tucson tweeted, "This is tragic. Deborah was a valued member of my veterans advisory group and did a lot of work to support fellow vets. She was serving Tucson today as she'd served her country before. Gabby (Kelly's wife Gabrielle Giffords) and I are thinking of her family and friends."Β  Β 

Pima County Supervisors Chair Sharon Bronson said: "On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and fellow Pima County employees, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Precinct 8 Constable Deborah Martinez, who was killed today in the line of duty. Our county constables perform a difficult and important job for the people of this county.

"They often encounter people at their most vulnerable and emotional, yet they all perform their duties with professionalism and compassion. I am heartbroken at this terrible tragedy and I will keep Constable Martinez and all who knew and loved her in my thoughts."

U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick tweeted, "I’m heartbroken to learn the news that our Pima County Constable, Deborah Martinez, was killed while doing her job today. Deborah was a great public servant and notable advocate for veterans, may we honor her life and commitment to our community."

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