CLOSE

The man suspected of shooting a federal court officer in downtown Phoenix made his initial court appearance virtually Thursday afternoon in Tucson.

James Lee Carr appeared via video conference before Judge D. Thomas Ferrero in U.S. District Court in Tucson at 1 p.m. He wore a black and white stripe uniform and said few things in court, mostly responding to yes or no questions from the judge.

Officials identified the officer who was shot as Steve Ford in a news conference Thursday evening.

At the start of the brief hearingfor Carr, Ferraro asked for his consent to hold the hearing virtually. After Carr consented, the judge appointed Tucson attorney Dan Cooper as his lawyer. 

Ferraro then explained his rights and the charges against him. Carr, 68, is suspected of shooting a guard at the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthousein a drive-by shooting Tuesday morning in downtown Phoenix.

Carr faces one count for assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and another count for discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence against a federal officer. 

He faces up to 20 years in prison on the first charge, and life in prison for the second charge, Ferraro said. They would be served concurrently, if convicted, he added.

Court documents revealed that Carr may have been having mental health issues, according to the FBI. They also included more details about the evidence in the case against Carr.

During the hearing, Ferraro said the FBI had collected video surveillance outside the courthouse showing the vehicle Carr allegedly used in the drive-by shooting. They also took statements from neighbors following his arrest about the timing of when he left his home.

Cooper told Ferraro that Carr had “serious problems with hallucinations,” and described one instance where, during a scheduled phone call about two hours before the appearance, the attorney stepped away and returned to find him “having a conversation,” even though he was alone.

Cooper explained that Carr had been dealing with mental health issues for some time and was taking anti-psychotic and anti-anxiety medications.

He asked Ferraro if Carr would have access to a psychiatrist to prescribe any medications, if needed, to which Ferraro responded that there would be. However, Cooper clarified that he was not asking for an evaluation. 

As the judge prepared to set a preliminary hearing, Cooper announced that Carr would waive his right to a hearing in exchange for early disclosure, meaning prosecutors would provide the police reports earlier in the process. 

Carr also agreed to be held in federal custody without bond, his attorney said.

As he concluded the initial appearance, Ferraro warned Carr to “be careful about making statements,” he said. “What you say can be used against you.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Esther J. Winne, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona said, in an email, she could not comment about why Carr’s court appearance was scheduled in Tucson.

U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona David Gonzales named the court security officer who was shot as Steve Ford at a news conference with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Thursday evening.

“The first bullet hit him square in the chest. He was pushed back. He immediately removed his service gun and fired six to seven rounds at the car,” Gonzales said about Ford, who was wearing a protective vest. Ford was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was released as of Wednesday evening.

Gonzales said law enforcement believed Carr “was looking to shoot a police officer that day. We think maybe a Phoenix police officer because he had been circling the block a couple times.”

Reporter Perry Vandell contributed to this article.

Reach the reporter at [email protected], or follow him on Twitter at @RafaelCarranza.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2020/09/17/phoenix-courthouse-shooting-suspect-james-lee-carr-make-initial-appearance-tucson/3482744001/