A man has died after a shooting involving community college police officers in east Phoenix. The incident, which unfolded on Thursday morning near 48th and Van Buren streets, adds to the growing list of police-related shootings in the area this year. As per FOX 10 Phoenix, the fatal encounter began when a suspect allegedly pointed a gun at passing cars, triggering a call to Phoenix police around 11:16 a.m.
Two officers from the Maricopa Community College Police were on the scene before Phoenix police could arrive, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. With limited details available, it has been confirmed by DPS that the suspect was shot by one of the college police officers, who had spotted the armed individual. As reported by AZFamily, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, and no officers were injured during the incident.
The DPS is currently leading the investigation into the shooting, as detailed in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, which also mentions that the Major Incident Division is handling the case. Footage from the scene showed a parking lot of an apartment complex cordoned off, with a heavy law enforcement presence. While Phoenix police were not the first to engage, they were involved in securing the area post-incident.
The vicinity of the shooting was near GateWay Community College - Washington Campus, located about a mile west of the scene, causing traffic diversions on Van Buren street, which remained closed in both directions between 48th and 52nd street while detectives conducted their investigation.
