A man is dead following a police shooting in a west Phoenix neighborhood late Thursday night. According to AZFamily, Phoenix Police Sgt. Rob Scherer stated that authorities initially responded to a call around 10:30 p.m near 83rd Avenue and McDowell Road. The scenario escalated when a witness followed an armed man to a convenience store, where an argument ensued, and the suspect reportedly displayed a firearm.
We have had an officer involved shooting in the area of 79th Avenue and Mitchell Drive. The suspect is down and there are no injuries to any officers. This remains an active scene. Please follow this thread for additional info regarding this incident, to include media staging. pic.twitter.com/aeuQ0Cip5Y
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) November 29, 2024
The fleeing suspect's vehicle was later located by police officers who attempted a traffic stop, but the man sped off leading to a chase. A police helicopter traced the man to a neighborhood near 79th Avenue and Mitchell Drive. Police then found the vehicle abandoned and eventually encountered the suspect in the backyard of a residence. As reported by AZFamily, a gunshot was heard before police confronted the armed suspect who "pointed a gun at an officer."
In a statement shared by ABC15, the situation escalated when the suspect "reportedly moved toward one of the responding officers and raised his handgun," leading the officer to fire multiple shots at the man, who was hit at least once. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.
This case marks the 49th officer-involved shooting in Maricopa County and the 84th in Arizona for the year 2024, as confirmed by AZFamily's report. The investigation into the specifics of the incident continues, with authorities urging residents to avoid the area while they work through the details.
