Suspect charged with premeditated murder in connection with police officer's death

PHOENIX — The suspect held in the killing of a Phoenix police officer earlier this month has been charged with first-degree murder, authorities said Monday.

Saul Bal, 41, is accused of murdering 29-year-old Zane Coolidge. Bal has also been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, burglary and misconduct with a weapon.

“The men and women in blue are heroes,” Maricopa County District Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a press release. “It is unthinkable that anyone would take the life of one of their own. The person who took Officer Coolidge's life will be held accountable.”

What happened to the murdered Phoenix police officer?

Coolidge and another officer, Matthew Haney, went to the area of ​​16th Street and McDowell Road around 6:30 p.m. on September 3 to investigate a report of a car theft.

As they approached Bal, he ran and jumped over a fence, police said. Officers gave chase, and then Bal allegedly shot them.

An officer returned fire but did not hit the suspect. However, backup units arrived at the scene and arrested Bal nearby.

Coolidge was taken to Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix in critical condition. He died three days later. Haney suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was subsequently released from the hospital.

According to officials, Bal has a long criminal past.

This is the eleventh time this year that police officers in Phoenix have been confronted with gunfire, police said.

A trial date for Bal has not yet been set.

Follow @DannyShapiro13