Phoenix Police detectives are investigating the death of suspected shoplifter who fired on an officer near 35th Avenue and Roosevelt Street.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, on May 7, 2024, at approximately 11:45 p.m., an officer on routine patrol was contacted by an employee of a convenience store near the intersection of 35th Avenue and Roosevelt Street. The employee stated that a shoplifting occurred at the store and pointed out two individuals nearby as the suspects. The officer proceeded to the area of these two individuals to contact them, at which time one began to run southbound on 35th Avenue while the other ran eastbound on Roosevelt Street. The officer followed the adult male running eastbound.
As the officer got closer, the man produced a handgun and began to fire in the direction of the officer, striking the police Tahoe multiple times. The officer returned fire at the man striking him at least once. The man, who has not yet been identified, was detained and transported to a nearby hospital. He did not survive his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The second person involved in the shoplifting was not located and remains outstanding.