Mayor Kate Gallego | Mayor Kate Gallego Official website
Mayor Kate Gallego | Mayor Kate Gallego Official website
WARNING: The attached video may contain strong language as well as graphic images which may be disturbing to some people. Viewer discretion is advised.
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 April 24th, 2023.
This incident occurred in the area of 33rd Avenue and Bell Road when Phoenix Police received a call about a man attempting to steal an item at a business. While the caller was on the phone with dispatchers, the man assaulted the caller.
Later in the 911 call, the caller stated that the man was leaving the area.
A number of officers and a sergeant were dispatched to the call. The sergeant located a man matching the description given, riding a bicycle in the area of 31st Avenue and Bell Road. The sergeant gave commands to the man to stop riding his bike, the man refused the commands and rode his bike into an apartment complex near 33rd Avenue and Bell Road. The sergeant lost site of the man at this point.
The sergeant drove to the apartment complex and got out of his patrol car to search the complex on foot. While inside the complex, he saw the man and order him to stop. The man refused the command and took off running. The sergeant, and ultimately another officer on scene, ran after the man.
During the foot chase the sergeant noticed the man had a knife in his hand and the sergeant gave multiple commands to drop the knife. The subject turned around facing the sergeant and the officer. He was again given commands to drop the knife, but he did not and instead charged at the sergeant with the knife still in his hand.
The sergeant fired his firearm multiple times and the officer discharged his taser. The man was struck with gunfire and fell to the ground.
Officers provided medical aid to the man until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived on scene. The man was taken to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
The knife that man had during the incident was found on scene.
The sergeant involved in this incident is assigned to the Cactus Park Precinct and has approximately 24 1/2 years of service 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.
Public records law required redaction of certain personal identifying information before video is released publicly. That is why you may see some parts of Body Worn Camera (BWC) blurred or covered with a black box. Redacted video is released to local media in conjunction with the release of this Critical Incident Briefing for independent review and publication. Complete, unedited versions of the BWC are released to attorneys and the courts as evidence in a criminal case.
Original source can be found here.
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