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 24, 2022.
This incident began in the area of 32nd Street and Union Hills Drive just after 4:00 p.m., when a patrol sergeant was flagged down by a community member who provided information about an adult male suspect who he observed attempting to steal a vehicle. The sergeant spotted and followed the suspect who ran away from the area. As the patrol sergeant began following the suspect, a 911 call came in from another community member who reported the suspect attempted to rob them of their vehicle while they were sitting in it.
“I was at the [redacted] and I was sitting in the truck with my AC on and some guy tried to jump in and take off with it,” said the 911 caller.
As the sergeant began to contact the suspect, the suspect ran and jumped a fence into a residential yard. The sergeant called for additional resources and a perimeter was established.
Patrol officers with the help of police canines began systematically searching yards in the area looking for the suspect when the suspect started shooting.
There were multiple officers in the area when the suspect began firing in different directions around the house. Officers took cover behind vehicles and houses. Officers would later learn the suspect had broken into a home where the residents were away. No officers discharged their weapons at this time.
The suspect shot and hit several vehicles that officers were taking cover behind. At about 4:08 p.m., an officer with a rifle returned fire at the suspect but did not strike him. This officer and two nearby sergeants then utilized cover fire to help two of them move further away from the suspect to a safer location.
Cover fire is defined as controlled, accurate weapons fire delivered at an appropriate target with the intent of keeping a suspect’s attention away from exposed officers, allowing them to move or complete a rescue or other task. Acceptable targets for cover fire are near the suspects last known location and are capable of stopping and containing weapons fire. Some examples include block walls, door frames, residential structure headers and footers, and engine blocks.
Patrol officers continued to cordon off the area and evacuate nearby residents or have them shelter in place.
The Phoenix Police Special Assignments Unit (SAU) arrived on scene in armored vehicles. They used a PA system to communicate with the suspect to negotiate a peaceful surrender. They also utilized less lethal tactics, including tear gas, to avoid an armed confrontation with the suspect and encourage him to come outside.
About 3 hours after the shooting began, the suspect exited the house with his hands up. SAU detectives provided a ladder for him to climb down and took him into custody.
Detectives recovered the weapons used by the suspect inside the home.
The officer involved in this shooting has been with the department for 4 years and is assigned to the Maryvale Estrella Mountain Precinct.
Two sergeants utilized cover fire during the incident. One has been with the department for 32 years, and the other for 13 years. Both are assigned to the Black Mountain Precinct.
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.
