Phoenix-area police shoot, kill two suspects in two days

PHOENIX — Two suspects were killed in shootings involving Phoenix-area police officers over the past two days.

The first shooting happened Tuesday in Phoenix near 27th Avenue and Interstate 10.

The Phoenix Police Department said three officers from the special assignments unit were attempting to serve a search warrant in an Arizona Department of Transportation forgery and identity theft case about 6:30 a.m.

The officers announced they were there and opened the front door. An adult woman and three children left the home without incident, but the suspect — 44-year-old Jose Aaron Gonzalez — fled down a back hallway and hid in a bedroom.

Police used a robot to search the home and found Gonzalez in a closet. He allegedly left his hiding spot and aimed a handgun at the officers, who opened fire.

Gonzalez was removed from the home by a canine team. He was given first aid but died at the scene.

The officers had an average of 18 years experience.

The second fatal incident happened Wednesday about 11:30 a.m. near El Mirage and Bell roads in Surprise.

A spokesman for that city’s department said an officer was confronted by a man with a knife when responding to a call.

The officer shot the suspect, who died at the scene. The officer was not injured.

No details were given on why the Surprise officer opened fire. The names of the officer and suspect were not released.

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