At approximately 5:30 a.m., on September 7th a Flagstaff Police officer was involved in a shooting at the intersection of North Highway 89 and Cummings Street.
According to the Flagstaff Police Department, officers responded to a call of a man breaking a gas station window and entering the business taking items from the store. At the same time, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a suspect threatening to stab people with a knife in the same area at a nearby business.
When the Flagstaff Police Department officer arrived, he contacted the man in the middle of the intersection. The man produced a screwdriver and advanced towards the officer, in what was described as a threatening manner. The officer drew his Taser and the man then took off on foot.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived and assisted the officer. Police say the man refused multiple commands to stop and to drop the screwdriver. He fled from the officers and ran across the road. The officer and deputies followed him and more verbal commands were given, which the man refused to comply with.
The man once again allegedly brandished the screwdriver and threatened the deputy by charging towards him. The deputy ultimately resorted to deadly force to stop the man as he was charging the officer. The Flagstaff Police Department officer fired his teacher Taser at the same time the shots were fired by the deputy.
The incident is being investigated by the Northern Arizona Officer Involved Shooting Team.
If you have any information about this situation, you are asked to call the Flagstaff Police Pepartment at 928-774-1414, or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.