Bodycam footage reveals man had BB gun when he was shot, killed by police in south Phoenix

Phoenix police released bodycam footage that reveals the man who died after a shooting involving officers earlier this month at a south Phoenix apartment complex was armed with a BB gun at the time he was shot.

The man, whose identity has not been released, died Oct. 10 after officers shot him at a complex near Central and Southern avenues following a 911 call about a man walking around with a gun and knife while mumbling words to himself.

Warning: The video posted by the Phoenix Police Department contains graphic images. Viewer discretion is advised. 

The Critical Incident Briefing Video released Friday details the moments leading up to the fatal shooting.

The footage begins as the man exits an apartment. Authorities said he was still holding the gun and knife at the time.

Officers tell him multiple times to put his hands up and drop the gun, but he does not comply, which is when they use a less-lethal PepperBall launcher.

Moments later, police said the man raised a firearm and pointed it at officers, which is when one fired their rifle and struck the man. Once on the ground, the man raised the gun again and a second officer shot him.

Officers provided aid to the man before the Phoenix Fire Department took him to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

In the briefing, Sgt. Chris Berrelleza explained the firearm the man had was determined to be a BB gun. He added that investigators also found a written statement from the man in his apartment, and discovered he was the one who made the 911 call.

The two officers involved in the shooting are assigned to the South Mountain Precinct and have around two and five years of service, respectively.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is conducting an investigation, which will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Phoenix police are conducting a separate administrative review.

Related

KTAR’s October ‘Pay Tribute to a Teacher’ award goes to Gilbert first-grade teacher4 people rescued from top of car after getting caught in flood in Yavapai CountySARMS Pharm owner heads to prison, Phoenix company ordered closedJustin Heap to reinstate ballot access for 25 citizens after mediation with Arizona officials6 arrested after alleged $1.4M Walmart fraud ring busted in Peoria‘Amen,’ then a roar: Arizona church takes shelter amid tornado warning