Critical Incident Briefing: October 22, 2020 35th Ave. And Washington Officer-Involved Shooting In Phoenix

Press release from the City of Phoenix:

November 4, 2020

The Phoenix Police Department released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video that includes audio, visuals and information related to an officer-involved shooting which occurred in the overnight hours of October 22, 2020 near 35th Avenue and Washington Avenue.

Around 1:00 a.m. a security guard called 911 and reported seeing a man, later identified as 21-year-old Carlos A. Rodriguez, arguing with a woman in an apartment complex parking lot. During the argument, the security heard gunfire and believed Rodriguez shot at him and another security guard. The guard was able to get a detailed description of the vehicle before it fled from the apartment complex parking lot.

While the 911 call was being dispatched, officers from the Cactus Park Precinct Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) reported hearing gunfire and seeing a silver vehicle leaving the apartment complex at a high rate of speed. The vehicle matched the description given by the security guard.

The NET officers were in a marked police Tahoe. They tried using emergency lights and sirens to stop Rodriguez, but he took off, leading officers on a short pursuit.

The vehicle ran into a car at the intersection of 35th Avenue and McDowell Road, but continued driving south on 35th Avenue despite tire damage. Rodriguez lost control of the car as it turned onto Washington Street from 35th Avenue, crashing into the curb and a fence.

As officers drove up to the vehicle, the woman ran out from the passenger side, screaming for help. Officers saw Rodriguez run from the car, armed with a rifle. Rodriguez shot at the officers and one officer returned fire, striking Rodriguez, which resulted in non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers approached Rodriguez with a ballistic shield since he was still within arm’s length of the rifle.

As the officers began their approach the suspect continued to move toward the rifle, so officers used a stunbag to keep him away from the rifle. This less lethal shotgun is equipped with stunbag projectiles.

Once officers arrived, the man was hand-cuffed, and officers rendered medical aid by placing a tourniquet on the suspect’s left leg. Phoenix Fire Personnel transported Rodriguez to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Rodriguez had outstanding Felony warrants and once released from the hospital will be booked for aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, and unlawful flight from pursuing law enforcement.

The woman seen running from the vehicle knows the suspect. She was not injured. There were no additional community members or officers injured during this incident. The officer involved in this shooting is assigned to the Cactus Park Precinct Neighborhood Enforcement Team and has been with the department for four years.

This incident is the subject of both an internal and a criminal investigation, which will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. 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.

Public records law required redaction of certain personal identifying information before video is released publicly. This is why you see some parts of Body Worn Camera (BWC) blurred or covered with a black box. Unedited, 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.

Please be advised, the attached video may contain strong language as well as graphic images which may be disturbing to some people. Viewer discretion is advised.

This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author’s own.