The Phoenix Police Department has released a video about an officer-involved shooting that occurred on October 20 at 37th Avenue and Glendale Avenue. The incident began with a trespassing call involving a man who was impaired and armed with a large knife. When police arrived, a chase ensued inside a business, and efforts to detain the man escalated to violence, resulting in the use of tasers and ultimately a service firearm, according to the City of Phoenix.
An employee identified the individual to the officers, who then pursued him to a stockroom. During the encounter, an officer fell and lost hold of her taser, as seen in the released footage. After being tased, the man got up and fought with a male officer, causing both officers to be temporarily incapacitated. The male officer then discharged his weapon, resulting in the man's death at the scene. The female officer recovered and continued with the arrest. Backup and medical support were called, but the man died from his injuries before help arrived, as reported by the City of Phoenix.
The 911 caller's report of a large knife was confirmed when the weapon was found at the scene. Two officers involved, with five and seven years of service from the Cactus Park Precinct, were treated at a hospital and released the same evening. Investigations by the Professional Standards Bureau and a criminal inquiry are ongoing. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has not yet commented on the officers’ actions. Redacted footage has been shared with local media for transparency, while unredacted versions are being kept as evidence, as stated by the City of Phoenix.
