William Ray Thornton

Deadly force

Two officers on fugitive apprehension detail were pursuing a suspect wanted on a felony warrant at about 3:20 p.m. William Thornton, realizing he was being followed, collided with several other vehicles at 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road. Two people were injured in the crash - a 50-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman. Thornton fled on foot around a building. The officers got out of their car and chased Thornton. Thorton started shooting at the two officers, killing Officer John Hobbs. A third undercover officer with the fugitive apprehension squad appeared on the scene and heard gunshots. The officer saw Thornton shooting at the two other officers. The third officer shot and killed Thornton.