Phoenix Police are investigating an officer involved shooting, that has left a 39-year-old man dead.
On March 12th, around 7:30 a.m., Phoenix Police were called to the area of 75th Avenue and Buckeye Road about two men refusing to get off a city bus.
The responding officer arrived and pulled up putting his patrol vehicle in front of the bus. The officer got on the bus and told the two adult males to leave. The first male, later identified as Adam Vespoli, got off the bus, walked over to the parked fully marked patrol vehicle, got in the driver’s seat and closed door. While the officer was speaking with the second male on the bus, he noticed Vespoli was in the driver’s seat of the police vehicle. The officer got off the bus and ran to his vehicle, as Vespoli put the patrol car into drive. The officer placed his foot on the running board and at gunpoint ordered the male to get out of his vehicle. As the male began to accelerate, the officer said he feared for his life, and fired his weapon. The vehicle came into contact with the officer’s leg during this time.
The vehicle came to rest on a tree in the area of 75th Avenue and Buckeye Road. The officer immediately began life saving measures. Vespoli was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. The officer was also transported to a local hospital for minor injuries to his lower extremities.
At this time, the investigation remains ongoing.