Goodyear police fatally shoot armed suspect in morning confrontation

PHOENIX – Police in Goodyear said an officer fatally shot an armed suspect during a confrontation early Monday.

The Goodyear Police Department said James Dopson, 29, was shot around 1:46 a.m. near Estrella Parkway and Van Buren Street.

Another man, found with gunshot wounds at an apartment complex, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Police said officers had responded to calls of shots fired at an apartment complex in the area around 1:30 a.m.

Goodyear Police Alert:
Van Buren between Bullard and Estrella Pkwy is closed due to a police investigation that will last several hours. Please use alternate routes. There is no danger to the community. Thanks for your patience. pic.twitter.com/mfVdZWs6vX

— Goodyear Police Dept (@Goodyearpolice) January 30, 2023

They found the injured man and began a search for a man who had fled on foot.

Officers found him a few blocks away and made contact, police said.

Dopspn then refused officers’ orders to drop his weapon as he walked toward an occupied vehicle.

Police said an officer fired after Dopson refused to comply.

The West Valley Incident Response Team is leading the inquiry into the deadly shooting, police said.

The investigation was expected to keep Van Buren Street between Estrella Parkway and Bullard Avenue shut down for several hours.

Police said a silver passenger was in the area of the shooting and asked any witnesses to call the response team/Buckeye Police Department tip line at 623-349-6411.

No other information was made immediately available.

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