Armed man shot by police in Phoenix during early-morning confrontation

PHOENIX – An armed man was shot and wounded by police during an early-morning confrontation in Phoenix on Monday, authorities said.

The encounter started just before 3 a.m., when the suspect, 24-year-old Jesse Magana, crossed Thomas Road near 24th Drive on a bicycle and was almost hit by a patrol SUV, Sgt. Robert Scherer of the Phoenix Police Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

The officer then conducted a what’s called a “subject stop,” during which Magana was “less than compliant,” Scherer said.

A struggle ensued, and the officer noticed a gun in Magana’s waistband, Scherer said. Magana broke away and ran west on Thomas Road near Interstate 17.

“In that area, the man proceeded to fire multiple rounds in what we believe … was in the direction of the officer that was attempting to detain him,” Scherer said.

Multiple officers responded to the area and tracked Magana into a neighborhood north of Thomas Road and west of I-17.

Police contacted Magana in an alley between Avalon and Earll drives, west of 25th Drive.

“He was given additional commands, which, again, he was not compliant with,” Scherer said. “The man reached toward his waistband, at which point we had one officer fire multiple rounds from his duty weapon.”

Magana was hit by gunfire at least once. He was taken to a hospital with injuries that aren’t considered life-threatening. No officers were injured.

Magana was arrested for aggravated assault on a police officer and other possible charges after his hospital release.

Traffic in the area was restricted while police worked to process crime scenes on both sides of I-17.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Shira Tanzer contributed to this report.

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