23/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 23/08/2024 18:13
WARNING: The attached video may contain strong language as well as graphic images which may be disturbing to some people. Viewer discretion is advised.
The incident began when Phoenix police officers responded to a shots fired call in the area. The caller indicated that a man fired a handgun multiple times in the area and that he left in a white Ford Explorer.
When officers arrived, they located multiple people who said that a man fired several gunshots causing some of them to scatter. The witnesses also relayed that the suspect threatened several people with a handgun. Officers learned that the suspect took off from the area in a white Ford Explorer after firing the gun. A nearby surveillance camera captured this encounter.
Two officers in the area of 25th Avenue and Buckeye Road saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was in the parking lot of a nearby business. The officers pulled their marked patrol car behind the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop by turning on their overhead lights. The man inside of the vehicle opened the driver's door and one officer immediately told the man to stay in his vehicle. The man continued to get out of his vehicle and began to walk away from officers with his hands in the air.
The man dropped his arms and began running from the officers east on Buckeye Road and both officers chased the man. While running, the officers saw the man reach towards his waistband and produce a handgun. That is when the officer-involved shooting occurred.
Following the shooting, officers detained the man. He did not survive his injuries and died on scene.
A handgun was recovered in the yard next to where the man was detained. The handgun was linked to evidence found inside the suspect vehicle. The handgun was also forensically matched the original shooting scene near 27th Avenue and Van Buren Street.
The officers involved in this shooting are both assigned to the South Mountain Precinct and have approximately one and a half and three and a half years of service with the department respectively.
This incident is the subject of a criminal investigation to be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. It is also the subject of an administrative investigation.
Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete.