Questions Answered In Investigation Of DPS Shooting In Phoenix

Press release from the City of Phoenix:

June 4, 2020

A local TV news station has released video of the scene of a DPS Trooper-involved shooting where Dion Johnson lost his life. The Phoenix Police Department was not involved in the shooting but is investigating this incident at the request of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The following Q & A answers questions related to this critical community incident.

HOW DID THE STATION OBTAIN THE VIDEO?

ADOT provides video feeds of their camera network to news organizations across the state as a public service. While ADOT does not automatically record the feeds, individual news organizations can record them. This recording belongs to the individual station who began recording the feed after learning of the shooting.

DOES THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE THE VIDEO?

Media alerted us to the existence of this video late last week, however we did not have access to it. Members of the Phoenix Police Department saw it at the same time the news organization released it to the public. Investigators have taken legal steps to subpoena a copy for investigative purposes.

HAS THE VIDEO BEEN MANIPULATED OR EDITED?

Our investigators have not authenticated the video and do not know what, if any, editing has been done.

IS THERE OTHER VIDEO OF THIS INCIDENT?

At this point in the investigation, there is no known video capturing the moments leading up to or including the shooting. Neither of the troopers were equipped with body-worn cameras. There is no dash-camera video because both troopers were on motorcycles. The ADOT highway cameras are live feed cameras that do not automatically record.

WHAT INFORMATION HAVE YOU RELEASED ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION?

The incident happened at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Monday May 25, 2020. The Trooper was patrolling in the area of the State Route 101 and Tatum Boulevard when he observed a vehicle parked in the gore point and creating a traffic hazard. During the Trooper's initial contact with Mr. Johnson, he found him passed out in the drivers' seat. The Trooper smelled an odor of alcohol, saw beer cans and a gun in the vehicle. The Trooper removed the gun from the vehicle, returned back to his motorcycle, secured the gun, and then requested a backup. At this point, he noticed Mr. Johnson moving around so he returned to the vehicle and attempted to arrest Mr. Johnson for suspicion of driving impaired.During the attempted arrest, Mr. Johnson grabbed onto the Trooper through the open driver's side door and an altercation occurred. The Trooper was pulled toward the vehicle, while standing adjacent to the eastbound travel lanes of the freeway. During this struggle, the Trooper told investigators he feared he would be pushed into oncoming traffic, so he drew his weapon and issued commands. Mr. Johnson began to comply but as the Trooper was holstering his gun, Mr. Johnson reached for the gun and a second altercation ensued. The Trooper, fearing for his life, then fired his service weapon striking Mr. Johnson. A second Trooper arrived after the shooting and assisted in removing Mr. Johnson from the vehicle.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Once the investigation is complete, it will be submitted to the Critical Incident Review Board of the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.No Phoenix Police officers were involved in this shooting. Any specific information regarding the Trooper would be provided through the Department of Public Safety.

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