UPDATE: Guard accused of firing shots outside DES office arrested

Mahmood Almuwali. (Source: Tucson Police Department)
Mahmood Almuwali. (Source: Tucson Police Department)
Published: Mar. 15, 2018 at 7:07 PM MST|Updated: Mar. 19, 2018 at 3:27 PM MST
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(Source: Ferre Esthelita / Facebook)
(Source: Ferre Esthelita / Facebook)

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - The independent security guard who allegedly shot at a disgruntled client outside an Arizona Department of Economic Security office in Tucson Thursday afternoon has been arrested, city police said.

The Tucson Police Department said Mahmood Almuwali is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm with the city limits.

The TPD said it all began when the client, while inside the building, became upset with staff and raised his voice.

"Staff requested the security officer to respond and Almuwali told the client to leave and escorted him outside," the TPD said in a news release. "Almuwali followed the client to his vehicle."

The TPD said as the client tried to drive away, Almuwali fired his weapon at the vehicle. The client then drove to a nearby apartment complex and called 911.

According to the interim complaint, Almuwali told authorities he felt he life was in danger and the client had allegedly tried to run him over.

The report claims Almuwali shot at the vehicle two separate times.

The first was when the client was backing out of his parking spot. According to the complaint, Almuwali stood in front of the vehicle but the vehicle was able to get past him without hitting him. Almuwali allegedly then tried to shoot out the vehicle's tires as it pulled away.

One of the bullets hit a rim on the driver's side while the other hit the rear quarter panel.

As the client was driving away, Almuwali allegedly ran across the parking lot and stood alongside the passenger side of the vehicle. The TPD said he then fired three more rounds as the vehicle passed him.

One bullet hit the windshield and the other two hit the passenger front and rear windows.

You can read the complete interim complaint HERE.

No one was injured in the shooting, which happened around 1:45 p.m. in a parking lot outside the building, which is located in the 1400 block of South Alvernon Way.

A spokeswoman for Arizona DES released the following statement:

"The safety and security of our staff and clients is the highest priority for the Department. We will work with Tucson PD to assist during this ongoing investigation."

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