The Phoenix Police Department has shared a video with graphic content relating to an officer-involved shooting that took place on September 3. According to the Critical Incident Briefing released by the department, the confrontation and subsequent shooting occurred after a man was reported breaking into a vehicle near 16th Street and McDowell Road.
Responding to a 911 call, Phoenix officers were led to a suspect seen between apartment buildings. Ignoring commands to stop, the suspect fled, engaging in a foot pursuit that ended in gunfire. After firing at the chasing officers, striking both, one managed to return shots, though the gunman wasn't hit. The injured officers, one fatally wounded, were quickly transported to a local hospital. The less seriously injured officer had provided care to a his partner and continued to relay information over the radio.
The suspect was eventually apprehended a few blocks from the scene, and the firearm used was later found nearby. The names of the officers, who served out of the Mountain View Precinct, have not been disclosed, but their tenures were reported as five and two years, respectively. The fatal incident is deeply felt within the department and the community.
As investigations proceed, the Phoenix Police Department ensures that all aspects of the criminal and administrative nature of the event are thoroughly reviewed. The outcomes of these investigations, which will be carried to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for potential prosecution, will determine adherence to policy and law. Until such time, all formal judgments regarding the officers' actions remain withheld.
