By Chris Caraveo

Independent Newsmedia

Authorities said an attempt to locate situation closed part of westbound I-10 in western Arizona, involving a standoff between a suspect and law enforcement agencies.

The suspect has been connected to several shootings between Monday night and early Tuesday morning, including a homicide in Tolleson near 99th Avenue and Broadway Road.

Sladjan Petkovic

Phoenix Police Department Sgt. Jonathan Howard said the suspect was identified as 37-year-old Sladjan Petkovic. The victim in the homicide was identified as 45-year-old Steven Arvallo. Detectives learned that the two had been involved in an ongoing dispute.

Following the homicide, which occurred around 6 p.m. Nov. 27, detectives shared suspect and suspect vehicle information with law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

DPS officers located Mr. Petkovic’s vehicle in western Arizona and exchanged gunfire with Mr. Petkovic before he was taken into custody.

Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves said the Tuesday morning incident occurred at a rest area west of Tonopah near mile marker 63.

DPS Capt. Tony Mapp, who responded to the scene, later said an exchange of gunfire ensued between a man who got out of his gray Jeep Cherokee and a DPS trooper. Other agencies, including the La Paz and Maricopa county sheriff’s offices and the Phoenix Police Department, may have been involved as well.

Capt. Mapp said no law enforcement officials were injured.

The status of the suspect, who was shot and transported to the hospital, is unknown.

Prior to the rest area shooting, the suspect was allegedly involved in a shooting in Phoenix around 1 a.m., where a person in a tractor trailer was shot and sustained shrapnel injury, Capt. Mapp said.

Another vehicle was struck by gunfire near the rest stop.

The DPS trooper encountered the suspect outside of his vehicle once arriving to the rest stop.

It is unknown whether the suspect sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound or one from law enforcement.

Phoenix Police confirmed that the suspect at the rest stop was the same suspect as in the Tolleson shooting. An adult female and a juvenile male were uninjured when Mr. Petkovic allegedly shot into the residence of Mr. Arvallo.

Steven Arvallo (AZDOC)

Mr. Petkovic attempted to break into the house but couldn’t open the door. He then shot again at Mr. Arvallo before fleeing. Officers located Mr. Arvallo on the sidewalk.

The Arizona Department of Corrections tweeted out that Mr. Arvallo was a longtime investigator with the department.

"The thoughts and prayers of our ADC family are with Steven’s family and friends," the tweet stated.

The Arizona Department of Transportation said westbound traffic was detoured around the closure by exiting westbound I-10 at Salome Road at Milepost 81 and then returning to I-10 at Milepost 45 via U.S. 60 and Vicksburg Road.

Eastbound I-10 remained open.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.