At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) was dispatched to the 3300 block of Hilltop Drive in Lakeside for a report of a disorderly subject. The deputies that arrived determined that a man and woman had a verbal dispute and decided to separate the parties, as nothing physical was reported to have happened.
At 5:36 p.m., NCSO dispatch received a call reporting that what were believed to be shots being fired at the same location as the disorderly call earlier in the day. Two deputies responded and upon arrival began receiving gunfire from the same residence that they had dealt with earlier. One of the NCSO vehicles was struck by gunfire numerous times from a suspect from inside the residence. The deputies were not hit and were able to move and take a position of cover, taking a defensive position and establishing a perimeter.
The suspect, identified as Clayton Ledger, 51, of Lakeside, continued to fire numerous rounds toward the deputies from inside the residence. The White Mountain Special Response Team (WMSRT) was called to assist, as well as NCSO Patrol, Criminal Investigations, MCAT Detectives, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, officers from Show Low Police Department, and Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department, and Timber Mesa Fire and Medical personnel.
Attempts were made to establish communication and negotiate with the subject with no success. Ledger reportedly fired a large caliber rifle at the WMSRT armored vehicle, striking it in the passenger side front windshield.
There was an exchange of gunfire between WMSRT and the suspect which resulted with Ledger being struck and injured. He was ultimately taken into custody and transported via ambulance to Summit Healthcare and eventually, airlifted to a Phoenix-area hospital where he was treated for his non-life-threatening injuries.
Once released from the hospital, Ledger was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on April 10. Ledger was extradited to NCSO Jail in Holbrook where he was booked on eight counts of aggravated assault. He is currently being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond. At the conclusion of the investigation, there may be additional or different charges added.
