Phoenix Critical Incident Briefing: Officer Involved Shooting On Desert Foothills Parkway

Press release from the City of Phoenix:

July 15, 2020

PolicePolice

The Phoenix Police Department has released a Critical Incident Briefing video from an officer-involved shooting at an apartment complex near Desert Foothills Parkway and Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee.

The May 21, 2020 incident claimed the life of 40-year-old Ryan Whitaker.

The incident began around 10:18 p.m., when the Phoenix Police Department received a domestic violence call at the apartment complex. According to the 911 call, a woman and a man, later identified as 40-year-old Ryan Whitaker, were involved in an argument.

“I have a domestic dispute going on,” the caller told 911 dispatch. “I can tell they’re just at each other’s throats down there.”

As the first two officers were arriving on scene, a second 911 call was received at approximately 10:44 p.m., indicating the incident had become a physical altercation and the call was upgraded to an emergency response.

“It’s getting really loud and they’ve been doing it for the last hour,” the same caller told 911. “These guys have been noisy constantly. Every time I come back, these guys are noisier than hell. Always fightin’. I hear slamming of doors. I don’t know. Somebody could be getting’ thrown into a door for all I know. But I hear all kinds of banging.”

The information was relayed to the responding officers. The first two officers arrived at the apartment at approximately 10:52 p.m. Both officers were wearing body worn cameras. The two officers approached the apartment door. The first officer knocked on the apartment door and announced themselves as Phoenix Police. He then stood next to a wall on the left side of the door. The second officer stood to the right side of the door.

Shortly after the officer knocked on the door, Whitaker opened the door armed with a handgun, and stepped out of the apartment towards the officer on the left side of the door.

Believing the other officer is in immediate danger, the second officer fired his weapon, striking Whitaker. Whitaker did not fire his weapon, which was recovered in the doorway. This entire encounter between the officers and Whitaker lasted just seconds.

Ryan Whitaker was pronounced dead on the scene. No one else was injured.

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.

The video may contain strong language as well as graphic video and 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.