By Chris Caraveo

Independent Newsmedia

The Arizona Department of Corrections said a man shot and killed in the Tolleson area on Monday was an investigator for the department.

Steven Arvallo was shot and killed Nov. 27 when he and a neighbor, whom the Phoenix Police Department identified as Sladjan Petkovic, got into a verbal dispute near 99th Avenue and Broadway Road.

Steven Arvallo (AZDOC)

Mr. Petkovic was later arrested Tuesday morning at a rest area west of Tonopah after engaging in gunfire with an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper and responding officials of other agencies.

DPS Col. Frank Milstead said about 300 rounds of ammunition were used during the exchange of gunfire, which last between 20 and 30 minutes.

Mr. Milstead said Mr. Petkovic was armed with two handguns and an automatic rifle that had a red scope dot.

The DPS trooper encountered Mr. Petkovic outside of theiri vehicles, with the trooper giving commands to Mr. Petkovic at gunpoint. The two exchanged gunfire for about five minutes before two La Paz County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived.

La Paz County Sheriff William D. Risen said one of his deputies provided additional ammunition once the trooper depleted his own.Phoenix Police canine and SWAT teams responded and helped take Mr. Petkovic into custody.

Mr. Milstead said Mr. Petkovic is on life support and it does not appear he will survive from his injuries.

Mr. Milstead also added that as the investigation continues, some information is bound to change. However, public safety officials wanted to address the incident with the best information they had on Wednesday afternoon.

Chuck Ryan, director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, said Mr. Arvallo started with the department as a corrections officer in August 1995 and retired 20 years later. He later became a background investigator 1.5 years ago.

Representatives for the involved agencies, including Phoenix Police Department Chief Jeri Williams, attributed the ability to bring Mr. Petkovic into custody to the relationships between the state’s agencies.