A man is dead in Phoenix after his gun fired during a scuffle with a police officer.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, on February 23, 2026, at around 8:14 p.m., officers responded to the area of 15th Avenue and Atlanta Avenue regarding a man who was pointing a gun at his daughters. Once officers arrived on the scene, they were directed towards the man who had been pointing the gun, who was at a park across the street.
The man began to leave the park on a bicycle, and officers followed him through the neighborhood as they waited for resources. The man rode a short distance to 18th Avenue and Atlanta Avenue, then discarded his bicycle and began running towards a residence. A less-lethal tool was used on the man but it was ineffective.
A second officer got behind the man and attempted to apprehend the man using bodily force, as the officer and man fell forward to the ground the suspect’s gun went off striking the man and the officer. The man was taken into custody by officers.
Officers rendered aid to the man until the Phoenix Fire Department arrived on the scene and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The officer was also transported to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and released.
Be the first to comment