TUCSON – The Tucson Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that involved a 17-year-old Wednesday morning on Tucson’s south side.
According to the Tucson Police Department, officers arranged an undercover purchase of illegal narcotics from a wanted suspect on August 26. The teenage suspect had known gang affiliations and was wanted on multiple violent felony offenses, including armed robbery, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and burglary.
The Tucson Police Department (TPD) says just before 11:00 a.m., an undercover officer purchased the illegal narcotics from the teen and was able to positively identify him as the suspect they were looking for.
Immediately following the transaction, several officers who were waiting nearby moved in to arrest the suspect, according to TPD. The teen saw the officers and fled on foot. Officers followed the teen while giving him commands to “get on the ground”. The teen allegedly refused commands and during the short foot pursuit, he brandished a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
An officer on scene fired two shots from his duty weapon, striking the teen both times. Officers immediately began rendering aid to the teen. Tucson Fire then took over medical treatment; however, the teen was pronounced deceased on scene shortly after their arrival.
Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded and are conducting the criminal portion of the investigation, while sergeants with the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) are conducting a separate, but parallel administrative investigation to examine the actions of department personnel. This is standard protocol in all officer-involved shootings.