Phoenix Police Department Press Release Re: Essex Jackson Shooting
Critical Incident Briefing – October 20, 2024 – 3600 W Glendale Ave
November 1, 2024 11:00 AM
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 released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video that includes audio, visuals and information related to an officer-involved shooting (OIS) which occurred on October 20, 2024.
This incident began in the area of 37th Avenue and Glendale Avenue when officers were dispatched to a trespassing. The 911 caller told the operator they wanted a man trespassed out of a business. The caller stated the man appeared to be impaired, had a large knife on him and people nearby were scared.
When officers arrived, an employee of the business pointed out the man and told officers she wanted the man to be trespassed. Officers called out to the man and identified themselves. He continued walking in between aisles then directly to the stockroom.
Officers ran into the stockroom and found the man climbing on top of a built-in freezer. Officers pulled out their tasers and directed the man to come down. The man was able to climb down and as officers began to detain him, the man pulled away and ran toward the front of the store.
The female officer tried to hold onto the man’s arm, but she lost her grip and fell into a display shelving which caused her to drop her taser.
The male officer continued running after the man and tased him. The man fell to the ground but quickly got back up and started fighting the male officer. During the struggle, the male officer’s taser fell to the ground as did his body-worn camera.
The female officer reengaged in the arrest and a security guard came to help the officers. The female officer picked up the male officer’s taser from the ground and used it on the man. The man took the taser away from the officer and pulled the trigger, causing both officers to feel the effects from the taser. The male officer responded by shooting the man with his firearm.
After the shooting, backup officers arrived and provided aid to the man until the fire department arrived. The man died from his injuries on the scene.
Both officers were taken to the hospital and were released later that night.
The large knife reported by the 911 caller was recovered on the scene.
Both officers involved in this incident worked out of the Cactus Park Precinct. They have been with the Department for seven and five years, respectively.
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. This is why you may see some parts of the 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.