A suspect involved in an armed robbery was fatally shot by Phoenix police officers near 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street, according to local law enforcement. The incident unfolded on September 8, at around 12:30 p.m., after officers responded to a call in the vicinity of 35th Avenue and Fillmore Street, as per details provided by ABC15.
Following the robbery, the suspect fled the scene before the arrival of the police. The victim of the robbery was able to furnish a description of the suspect and the vehicle, which was later located by police. Officials explained that the suspect's vehicle was found in a field near 35th Avenue and Washington, where the confrontation that led to the shooting occurred. "The vehicle did come to a stop in a dirt parking lot area. Officers began to give commands, and the suspect then tried to accelerate and flee. However, the vehicle got stuck," a Phoenix Police sergeant detailed in a statement obtained by FOX10 Phoenix.
According to law enforcement officials, officers at the scene perceived a threat when the suspect brandished a handgun at them, leading them to discharge their weapons. "The officers continued to give command as they waited for additional resources to arrive. The suspect then turned and pointed a handgun once again at officers, and this is when the second officer-involved shooting occurred," as mentioned in the FOX10 Phoenix report.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was subsequently transported to a hospital where he was declared dead. No officers or other individuals were reported injured during the incident. The Arizona Department of Public Safety will be in charge of the investigation to further understand the sequence of events that led to the shooting, and this case adds to the complex narrative around police use of force. Despite initial reports, further details about the suspect or the circumstances have yet to be disclosed by officials.
