Critical Incident Briefing: Officer-Involved Shooting On 29th Avenue In Phoenix

Press release from the City of Phoenix:

September 25, 2020

PolicePolice

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 the night of September 13, 2020 at 8:44 p.m. in the area of 29th Avenue and North Metro Parkway.

The suspects in this incident are 15 and 16-year-old males. Because they are minors, their names will not be released.

The victim in this case called 911 after being approached by two males in an apartment complex north of 31st Avenue and Dunlap. The two males pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded the keys to his vehicle. The victim gave his keys to the suspects and they drove away in his vehicle.

At that time, two Phoenix Police Officers from the Cactus Park Precinct responded to the armed robbery call. While en route, the two-person patrol unit saw the stolen car driving south on 29th Avenue from North Metro Parkway as they were traveling the opposite way. They noticed the stolen vehicle stopped in traffic. The two Officers got out and approached the vehicle on foot. The officers gave verbal commands and the 15-year-old suspect drove toward the officer who was in front of the vehicle.

Both officers fired their service weapons.

After the shooting occurred, the suspect vehicle continued to drive southbound on 29th Avenue. The same officers got back in their vehicle and pursued the suspects. Officers followed the suspects to the area of 29th avenue and Northern where the vehicle stopped.

Officers gave verbal commands to the both the driver and passenger to exit the vehicle. The passenger exited the vehicle first and was taken into police custody. After the passenger was arrested, for the next 3 minutes officers gave verbal commands to the driver to exit the vehicle. However, he did not respond.

In an effort to encourage the suspect to exit the vehicle, an officer assigned to the Tactical Support Bureau deployed less lethal munitions pepper balls into the driver side window as the officer continued to give verbal commands. The munitions were successful, and the driver eventually exited the passenger side of the vehicle. Officers approached the vehicle and took him into custody.

Both the driver and passenger were struck by gunfire during the officer involved shooting. Both suspects were transported by Phoenix Fire personnel to a local hospital for treatment.

The driver remains hospitalized.

The passenger suspect was released from the hospital on September 14, 2020 and booked into the Juvenile Correctional Center for armed robbery.

The suspect handgun was recovered from the vehicle.

There were no injuries to any other community members.

The involved officers are assigned to the Cactus Park Precinct. The driver officer is 24 years old and has 2 years of service. He received minor injuries from this incident.

The passenger officer is 25 years old and has 3 years of service.

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.

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.