Detectives are investigating an incident that resulted in an officer involved shooting in north Phoenix where a man wielding a weapon died on scene.
The shootout occurred at the Whataburger at 28th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.
Just after 11:00 a.m. on December 18, 2024, officers were called to the Whataburger near 28th Avenue and Thunderbird Road after a man walked into the place with a rifle. When officers arrived, they learned the man with the rifle threatened those inside the restaurant causing all customers and employees to leave the building.
Officers surrounded the building and closed down nearby roads. Before officers could start negotiations, the gunman shot at officers from inside the restaurant hitting a parked patrol car. Officers returned fire as additional resources made their way to the scene. Gun fire was exchanged between the officers and the man during this incident resulting in the death of the man.
A drone along with Special Assignment Unit members were sent into the business and confirmed no further threat existed and no additional victims were inside the business. Phoenix Fire responded and pronounced the man dead on scene.