Phoenix Police Department Press release
Critical Incident Briefing: February 25 2023 – 9th Street and Bell Road
MARCH 10, 2023 2:54 PM
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 has released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video that includes audio, visuals and information related to an officer-involved shooting that occurred on February 25 2023.
This incident began in the area of Central Avenue and Bell Road around 2:30 in the afternoon when Phoenix Police received a 911 call about a person driving erratically, swerving in the roadway and openly drinking alcohol while driving.
The caller followed the driver and indicated they driver nearly hit a pedestrian before pulling into an apartment complex at 17617 North 9th Street.
At about 2:40 p.m. officers arrived at the apartment complex and found the vehicle described by the caller backed into a parking spot. The driver was a man and he was reclined in his seat behind the wheel. One of the officers moved up to the passenger side of the truck and noticed there was a rifle in the front console area.
After having the man get out of the truck officers saw a handgun in the driver’s door pocket.
Officers had the man move to the back-quarter panel of the truck as they began to conduct a DUI investigation.
One officer returned to his patrol vehicle to conduct a records check on the driver and a second officer stayed with the driver. A few moments later the officer sees the driver move toward the open driver’s door and grab the handgun.
The officer grabs the man from behind and the two struggled for control of the handgun. The officer doing the records check sees the commotion and comes back with his duty weapon out and fires one shot at the man.
After the shooting, officers provided lifesaving measures until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived on the scene. The man was then taken to a local hospital where he did not survive his injuries.
The officer involved in this incident is assigned to the Black Mountain Precinct and has over 14 years of service with the department.
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 the redaction of certain personal identifying information before the video is released publicly. That is why you may see some parts of the Body Worn Camera (BWC) blurred or covered with a black box. The 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.​