Police in Goodyear fatally shoot shoplifting suspect who allegedly reached for officer’s gun

PHOENIX – A Goodyear police officer fatally shot a shoplifting suspect who allegedly reached for the officer’s gun during an altercation on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Officers responded to a shoplifting call near Litchfield and McDowell Roads around 4 p.m., according to the Goodyear Police Department.

The first arriving officer located a person matching the description of the suspect and tried to detain him.

A struggle ensued, and the suspect allegedly reached around the officer and grabbed for his gun. During the struggle for control of the weapon, a round was discharged, police said.

The officer gained control of the gun and created distance between himself and the suspect, police said.

“The suspect continued advancing toward the officer, again reaching for the officer’s vest and firearm. At that point, an officer-involved shooting occurred. The officer discharged his weapon, ending the threat,” Sgt. Maya Reeson said in a media advisory.

What happened after police shooting in Goodyear?

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

One officer was taken to a hospital with an unspecified injury and has since been released, police said.

The Avondale Police Department is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting as part of the West Valley Incident Response Team.

It was the first of two deadly shootings involving Valley police officers on Tuesday.

A suspect in a hit-and-run incident was shot and killed by officers in Queen Creek a few hours later.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Kylie Werner contributed to this report.

This is an updated version of a story originally published on Feb. 10, 2026.

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