PHOENIX (PPD) – The Phoenix Police Department has released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video that includes audio, visuals and information related to an officer-involved shooting (OIS) which occurred on May 22nd, 2023.
This incident occurred in the area of 19th Avenue & Phelps Drive when Phoenix Police contacted a woman who had previously refused to stop during a lawful traffic stop.
This incident originally began in the area of 35th Avenue and Glendale Avenue when Phoenix Police received a call about a woman who was unresponsive inside of a running vehicle in a nearby parking lot.
Two officers responded to the area and located the vehicle. Initially the woman was not responsive but appeared to wake up as officers were in the parking lot. She was given commands to put the vehicle in park and instead drove out of the parking lot.
Officers followed the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled over in a nearby apartment complex where the driver was given multiple commands to turn the vehicle off and throw the keys out of the car. The woman did not comply with any of these commands and again took off from officers.
The Phoenix Police helicopter was overhead and followed the car for about 15 minutes until it was in the area of 19th Avenue and Phelps Drive. This is where officers with the Tactical Support Bureau immobilized the vehicle.
Once the vehicle was stopped, officers positioned themselves around the vehicle. Officers gave multiple commands for the woman to show her hands and turn off the car. The woman did not comply and produced an object perceived to be a handgun and pointed it at an officer. This is when multiple officers discharged their firearms.
After the shooting, the woman was ordered to show her hands and did not fully comply. An officer deployed two rounds from a less lethal 40 mm launcher at the driver’s window to remove the glass giving officers a clearer view of the woman.
The deployment of the 40 mm did not remove the glass. An officer used an OC spray Mark 9 canister to deliver an irritant into the car to coax the woman out.
After the OC spray, officers broke out the driver’s door window. The woman got out of the car through the open window and was taken into custody.
Officers provided medical aid to the woman until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated for her injuries.
The object believed to be a handgun that the woman had was found on scene. It was later determined to be a butane lighter resembling a handgun.
Two officers involved in this incident are assigned to the Tactical Support Bureau and each have approximately 17 years of service with the department.
The other officer is assigned to the South Mountain Precinct and has approximately 5 years with the department.
Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete. An internal investigation by the Professional Standard Bureau is currently underway, in addition to a criminal investigation. Once the criminal investigation is complete it will then be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
