The Scottsdale Police Department has released dramatic video showing an officer shooting suspected gunman Joseph Santos in a hotel parking lot.
Unfortunately, a police K-9 “Rocco” who was deployed by his handler was accidentally shot by gunfire from the officer.
Scottsdale Police Critical Incident Briefing March 7, 2025
Apr 4, 2025
Scottsdale, Arizona (March 8, 2025) A 42-year-old man is dead after an officer-involved shooting, involving Scottsdale Police in the area of 400 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Around 10:13 p.m., officers responded to emergency traffic of a suspect threatening a person while brandishing a gun.
The suspect left the scene before officers arrived. Patrol found the vehicle involved and initiated a traffic stop, where the suspect fled once again.
While other officers were contacting the victim on scene, the suspect returned and pulled in directly behind a patrol vehicle. The suspect failed to obey commands and continued reaching behind him for an object inside the vehicle. A K9 was deployed and an officer-involved shooting took place. One officer fired his weapon, striking the suspect and the K9.
Officers immediately began giving emergency medical aid. The suspect died from his injuries while on scene. The K9 was taken to a veterinary hospital and is in stable condition. There is no outstanding threat to the surrounding community.
Mesa Police Department, as part of the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team (EVCIRT), responded to conduct an officer-involved shooting investigation.