Police Believe Armed Man Arrested at Phoenix Comicon was Planning Attack on Officers

Officers said the 30-year-old Valley man was armed with a shotgun, three handguns and knives. He struggled with officers, according to police, but nobody was injured in the incident. He has not been identified.

Phoenix police believe an armed man arrested at a Phoenix comic book convention Thursday was planning to attack officers.

Police say they were alerted to a suspicious male posting threats against Phoenix officers on social media. The postings reportedly included photos of officers working the Comicon event, which is being held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Officers found the suspect, Mathew Sterling, 31, inside the venue and arrested him. He was wearing body armor and carrying three handguns, a shotgun, and a knife, police say.

Sterling was booked for one count of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, wearing body armor during the commission of a felony, resisting arrest, and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.

Police believe this is an isolated incident.

Phoenix Police said "This is an outstanding example of the “see something, say something” campaign preached across the country."

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