Arizona police shoot suspect who struck multiple cyclists with vehicle

First responders on the scene of an incident in Show Low, Arizona, where police say a suspect used a vehicle to strike at least 9 cyclists on Saturday, June 19. By Hollie Silverman and Dakin Andone, CNN

(CNN) -- Police in Show Low, Arizona, on Saturday shot a suspect who they say struck multiple cyclists with a vehicle during a bicycle race.

According to the Show Low Police Department, seven victims were taken to hospitals. Three cyclists are in critical condition at Flagstaff Medical Center, one is critical at University Medical Center of New Mexico, two others are in critical condition at Banner Medical Center in Phoenix and the seventh person is at Summit Healthcare in stable condition, according to an updated news release from police Sunday.

The suspect is also in stable condition, police said in a news release.

Police said all the cyclists involved were participating in the Master Men 55, 60, 65 and 70+ categories of the 13th Annual Bike the Bluff Arizona State Championship Road Race benefit event. The event is a 58-mile race to help the Mountain Christian School in Show Low, according to its website. It has multiple categories for both men and women based on age.

According to police, a suspect in a Ford F-150 hit bicyclists at about 7:25 a.m. local time during the event in Show Low, a city about 180 miles northeast of Phoenix.

The suspect fled the scene and was pursued by police, who engaged and shot the suspect behind a hardware store. Authorities have identified the suspect only as a 35-year-old White man.

"Our community is shocked at this incident and our hearts and prayers are with the injured and their families at this time," Kristine M. Sleighter, a spokesperson for the Show Low Police Department said in the news release.

Multiple agencies have responded to investigate, including the Show Low Police Department, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which will be responsible for the investigation related to the officer-involved shooting.

CNN has reached out to the race organizers for comment.

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