Man dies after being shot by Chandler police officer

A man died after being shot by a Chandler police officer near a busy intersection Thursday afternoon.

Officers responded to reports of a man waving a gun near Dobson and Warner roads just before 3:30 p.m., according to authorities.

We responded to reports of an individual waving a gun in the area of Dobson and Warner Roads. Shortly after arrival, an officer involved shooting occurred. There is no danger to the public, and all officers are unharmed. There may be traffic restrictions in the area. pic.twitter.com/sIPZGIcDrm

— Chandler Police (@ChandlerPolice) August 27, 2026

Upon arrival, two officers located the suspect, identified as Romero Anthony Hernandez, holding a firearm and pointing it in multiple directions.

Officers issued repeated commands for Hernandez to drop the weapon, but he ignored the directives. One of the officers then fired a single shot, striking Hernandez and causing him to drop the gun.

Once the scene was secured, officers rendered emergency medical care until Chandler Fire Department personnel arrived. Hernandez was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

Investigators recovered a gun next to Hernandez at the scene, as well as an additional firearm located on his person before he was hospitalized, police said.

No officers or bystanders were injured in the incident.

Authorities said the officer who discharged his duty weapon has been with the Chandler Police Department for approximately three years.

Under East Valley Critical Incident Response Team (EVCIRT) protocol, the Mesa Police Department is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Any inquiries regarding the initial response remain with Chandler police.

Established on July 1, 2024, EVCIRT serves as a collaborative regional task force across eight East Valley police agencies, Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, Scottsdale and Tempe, to conduct independent investigations into critical use-of-force incidents within participating jurisdictions.

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