The Phoenix Police Department has released information concerning an officer-involved shooting that took place on November 4th, with a video briefing that includes graphic content and language, which might be disturbing to some viewers; the department advises caution for those watching, as stated on their website.
The incident unfolded after law enforcement responded to a burglary call at a residence near 15th Avenue and Chipman Road, where the victim, communicating through text messages to 911, indicated that an armed suspect was attempting to break in, and later was seen departing in a gray pickup truck. As soon as the officers arrived, they found the truck, stationary in front of the victim’s abode, and while attempting to establish a dialogue, the pickup fled, triggering a police chase.
The pursuit ended abruptly when the suspect lost control, hit a wall, and came to a halt; the responding officers witnessed the suspect exit the pickup, drop a firearm but immediately retrieve it and run toward a nearby home, despite commands to disarm, the man raced to one side of a house, dropped one gun, but then armed himself with another, pointing it at the officers, this led the officers to shoot the suspect.
In an attempt to safely engage the suspect, officers used less-lethal force with a 40mm launcher, followed by a K9 unit, and after ensuring the scene was secure, they provided medical assistance to the man until the arrival of the fire department. However, the man succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Neither civilians nor officers suffered injuries during the event, the handguns and a rifle found at the scene have been collected as evidence.
Both officers involved have been on the South Mountain Precinct force for over two and a half years, and they are now subjects of a criminal and administrative inquiry to determine the alignment of their actions with department policy and law — a deliberation that will reach its conclusion upon the full uncovering of facts and the completion of the investigation, as conveyed by the Phoenix Police Department.
