The Phoenix Police Department released a video that shows the actions officers took in response to a call about a man shooting a gun while holding the baby on the afternoon of January 9, 2021.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, the incident started at approximately 3:15 p.m., when 911 callers reported a man fighting with a woman at a hotel in the area 7th Avenue and Van Buren Street. The callers also reported that a man was shooting at people and holding a baby hostage.
The second 911 call was from a woman who reported her husband, 37-year-old Paul Bolden, had taken her baby and was shooting a gun.
As Bolden walked out of the hotel and onto Van Buren Street traffic, 911 callers saw him hold a driver at gun point.
Officers arrived within a minute of the 911 calls and saw Bolden armed and shooting a gun while holding the baby.
Officers told Bolden to drop the gun and he refused. Two other officers arrived to help. An officer armed with his city issued rifle shot at Bolden when he saw him point the gun at the baby and others.
Bolden was injured, and officers immediately ran to the baby and the driver of the white vehicle to move them to safety.
After the shooting, Phoenix Fire personnel responded and transported Bolden to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Officers also learned that the woman, who Bolden was fighting, was his girlfriend and the baby was his son. The baby was not injured during this incident.
The gun which was used by Bolden was also located.
There were no injuries to officers or any serious injuries to community members. The gunfire from Bolden struck nearby businesses.
The officer involved in this shooting is assigned to the Mountain View Precinct and has been with the department for almost four years.
This incident is the subject of both an internal and a criminal investigation, which will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. 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.