Two Arrested After Vehicle Crashes Through Scottsdale Airport Gate and Strikes Plane

By Habari News | October 19, 2026

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Two people were arrested Saturday night after a vehicle connected to an ongoing Phoenix street racing investigation crashed through a secured gate at Scottsdale Airport, entered an active runway area, and struck an unoccupied aircraft, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The incident occurred on October 17, 2026, at approximately 11:00 p.m., near 15000 North Airport Drive in Scottsdale.

Authorities identified the two suspects as Liberty Dawn Still, 33, and Michael Gregory Wall, 24. Both were taken into custody following the incident and booked into the Maricopa County jail system on multiple felony allegations.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also responded and assumed responsibility for investigating the suspects’ alleged unauthorized entry into the airport’s secured infrastructure.

Street Racing Investigation Leads Police to Scottsdale Airport

According to Phoenix Police, officers initially attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be connected to an ongoing investigation involving an unlawful street racing group.

The driver refused to stop, prompting officers to request assistance from the Phoenix Police Air Support Unit.

A police helicopter began monitoring the vehicle as it traveled into Scottsdale.

Police emphasized that responding officers and detectives were not actively pursuing the vehicle as it traveled through the area.

Instead, the Air Support Unit maintained surveillance until the vehicle eventually stopped at a locked security gate at Scottsdale Airport.

Officers then attempted another vehicle stop at the airport entrance.

Driver Allegedly Rams Police Vehicle and Breaks Through Airport Gate

When detectives attempted to stop the vehicle at the airport’s locked security gate, the situation escalated.

According to investigators, the driver reversed the vehicle and struck one of the detectives’ vehicles.

The driver then accelerated forward, crashing through and destroying the airport’s security gate.

The vehicle entered a secured section of Scottsdale Airport, gaining access to an active runway area.

Once inside the restricted airport property, the driver struck a wall and an unoccupied small aircraft.

Police have not disclosed the extent of the damage to the aircraft, security gate, or other airport property.

Authorities also have not reported any injuries to airport personnel or members of the public in the information released.

The incident raised security concerns because the vehicle entered an area normally restricted to authorized airport personnel and aircraft operations.

Two Suspects Run Onto Airport Tarmac

After the vehicle crashed inside the airport, a man and woman reportedly exited and ran toward the active tarmac.

Responding officers moved to apprehend both individuals.

Police said the male passenger actively resisted officers during the arrest, prompting an officer to deploy a Taser.

Both individuals were ultimately taken into custody.

Authorities identified the suspects as:

• Liberty Dawn Still, 33 — Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office booking number G288650.
• Michael Gregory Wall, 24 — Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office booking number G288643.

Phoenix Police reported that both individuals were booked into jail on multiple felony allegations related to their actions.

The department did not specify the individual charges associated with each suspect in the information provided.

FBI Investigating Airport Security Breach

The Scottsdale Police Department responded to assist with the investigation into the damaged airport property.

The FBI also arrived and assumed responsibility for investigating the alleged trespassing onto Scottsdale Airport’s critical infrastructure.

Airports are subject to federal aviation security regulations, and unauthorized access to restricted operational areas can raise significant public safety concerns.

The involvement of federal investigators reflects the potential security implications of entering a secured airport area without authorization.

However, authorities have not announced whether federal criminal charges will be filed against either suspect.

The extent of the damage and whether airport operations were temporarily affected have not been disclosed.

Police Clarify There Was No Active Vehicle Pursuit

One of the key details emphasized by Phoenix Police was that officers did not engage in an active vehicle pursuit leading up to the airport incident.

According to the department, officers initially attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to yield.

The Phoenix Police Air Support Unit then monitored the vehicle from above as it traveled into Scottsdale.

Ground officers did not attempt another stop until the vehicle reached the locked airport security gate.

It was during that attempted stop that the driver allegedly reversed into a detective’s vehicle before crashing through the gate.

This distinction is important to the department’s account of how the incident unfolded.

Investigation Continues

The incident remains under investigation, with multiple law enforcement agencies involved.

Phoenix Police handled the initial unlawful flight investigation and arrests, Scottsdale Police responded to investigate the property damage, and the FBI assumed responsibility for the airport security breach investigation.

Authorities have not released additional information regarding the suspects’ alleged involvement in the street racing group, the estimated cost of the damage, or any potential federal charges.

Both suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Habari News will continue monitoring the investigation and report additional developments as they become available.

Incident Information

Source: Phoenix Police Department, Public Affairs Bureau — Sergeant Chris Berrelleza, Unlawful Flight Investigation, Incident 2026-1459612.

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