Suspect sought in officer-involved shooting near Phoenix Walmart
Mar 21, 2014, 8:23 PM | Updated: Mar 22, 2014, 7:59 pm
PHOENIX — An officer suffered a hand injury after pursuing a shoplifting suspect near a Walmart store in north Phoenix.
Police said the incident started as a shoplifting report at Walmart near Happy Valley Road and Interstate 17. Phoenix Sgt. Tommy Thompson said two officers pursued the suspect on foot behind the store, and the suspect jumped over a wall and into his dark sedan.
As the suspect shut the door, Thompson said one of the officers punched through the car’s tinted driver’s side window and was entangled for a moment while the car was in reverse. The officer then fired one shot as the suspect drove towards him, but the suspect was able to get away in the vehicle.
Thompson said police aren’t sure if the suspect was injured by the shot. They believe the suspect has been involved in other shoplifting incidents in the area.
The injuries to the officer’s hand are minor, police said.
Police continue to search cars in the area for the suspect, who is believed to be a bald, black male who is around 30 years old and 240 pounds.
Authorities closed the Happy Valley and Pinnacle Peak exit ramps to the I-17 for several hours in the late evening.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
