In the early morning hours of June 1, 2024, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace in the Lower Santan Village of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, tragically ending the life of 23-year-old Native American woman, Alicen Apkaw. Gila River police officers had been responding to a disturbance at a home where a large crowd had gathered. It was amidst this chaotic scene that multiple gunshots were fired.
While not directly involved in the initial disturbance, Alicen was struck by the gunfire and succumbed to her injuries.
The incident resulted in a total of six people being shot, including two police officers. Alongside Alicen, Gila River Police Officer Joshua Briese also lost his life. Another officer was wounded but survived. The violence of that morning left a deep wound in the community, prompting an extensive investigation led by the FBI and the Gila River Police Department. In the wake of the shooting, two male suspects, one an adult and the other a juvenile, were taken into custody. Both suspects were receiving medical care for injuries they sustained during the incident.
Born on August 2, 2001, in Chandler, Arizona, to Alonzo Apkaw and Cheryl Miller, Alicen was remembered as a vibrant and joyous individual. Known for her love of singing and dancing, she was described as a beloved daughter, sister, and a loyal friend who was quick to laugh. She worked in the housekeeping department at the Gila River Resorts & Casinos' San Tan location, where she was a cherished colleague. Her untimely death has been a profound loss for her family, friends, and the wider Gila River Indian Community.
