An airman shot and killed a civilian who tried to drive through a gate without stopping Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo)

An airman shot and killed a civilian who tried to drive through the gate without stopping Friday morning at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, the base said.

The person was not affiliated with the military and failed to stop at the base’s main entrance on Craycroft Road, which is required by all drivers, according to the 355th Fighter Wing, which oversees Davis-Monthan.

“We certainly regret the loss of life that occurred,” said Col Jose Cabrera, 355th wing commander. “Our defenders have a very difficult job and acted in accordance with their training and policy to ensure the security of the installation and safety of our airmen.”

The person, who has not been identified, was driving erratically and crashed into the deployed vehicle barriers. The driver then put the vehicle in reverse, according to Air Force officials.

Airmen from the 355th Security Forces Squadron fired their weapons to stop the suspect.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is leading the investigation into the incident.

Davis-Monthan is in southeast Tucson and home to 11,000 airmen, according to the base. It hosts the A-10C Thunderbolt, a twin-engine jet nicknamed the Warthog that provides the Air Force with close air support, forward air control and combat search and rescue.