Suspect shot and killed by police after allegedly trying to grab woman, child

PHOENIX – The suspect in an apparent kidnapping attempt was shot and killed by police in a Peoria neighborhood on Thursday night, authorities said.

The deceased man was identified Friday as 43-year-old Matthew Paul Cardon of Peoria. He didn’t know the victim and was known to have mental health issues, according to the Glendale Police Department.

A woman was pushing a small child in a stroller when she was grabbed from behind near 87th Lane and Pershing Avenue around 6:45 a.m., according to the Peoria Police Department.

Peoria Police are on scene of an officer-involved shooting near West Pershing Avenue and North 87th Lane. One adult subject has been transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. #PeoriaPoliceAZ #PeoriaAZ #PeoriaPDAZ pic.twitter.com/t7zhj0bj4I

— Peoria Police (AZ) (@PeoriaPoliceAZ) June 6, 2025

“According to witnesses, the subject attempted to take the child from the female, at which time she FaceTimed her husband,” Sgt. Araceli Montes told reporters at the scene near Loop 101 and Thunderbird Road.

The husband and a neighbor chased the suspect into a cul-de-sac.

How was suspect killed by police in Peoria?

“At that time, officers were responding to the call. Officers contacted the suspect, some sort of altercation took place, and an officer-involved shooting occurred,” Montes said.

The suspect died of injuries sustained in the shooting after being taken to a hospital.

The officer involved in the altercation went to a hospital to be checked out as a precaution.

The Glendale Police Department, which is leading the investigation into the shooting as part of the West Valley Investigative Response Team, said more details will be released when applicable.

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