On a spring evening in Prescott, Arizona, a gathering of motorcyclists from the Phoenix area turned tragic. Christopher Ryan Scoggins, a 44-year-old man from Surprise, was visiting the city with his fellow Red Iron Motorcycle Club members on May 13, 2018. The group was enjoying their time when a man reportedly groped a woman who was part of their contingent.
Scoggins, a United States Air Force veteran and a Captain with the Goldwater Range Fire Department, confronted the individual in defense of his friend.
The man he confronted, 39-year-old Michael Ryan, responded with lethal force. In the ensuing altercation, Ryan produced a firearm and shot Scoggins multiple times. Witnesses at the scene were quick to intervene, detaining Ryan until law enforcement could arrive. Despite their efforts and the prompt response of emergency services, Scoggins succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local hospital.
Following the incident, Michael Ryan was taken into custody by the Prescott Police Department. He faced a series of serious charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault on law enforcement, and sexual abuse. The community mourned the loss of Scoggins, who was remembered as a loving husband, father, and a dedicated public servant, both in his military and firefighting careers.
