Man threatening people with gun shot by officer, Phoenix police said

PHOENIX — Police shot a man who was threatening people with a gun and carrying a baby near 7th Avenue and Van Buren Street on Saturday, the Phoenix Police Department said.

The suspect was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition where he later died. Police later identified the suspect as 37-year-old Paul Bolden.

The 1-year-old baby suffered minor injuries and was returned to the mother.

Around 3:15 p.m., police responded to a call that a man and woman were fighting near a hotel room in the area.

Bolden allegedly armed himself and took the baby from the woman, according to police.

In the parking lot, he fired the gun and threatened people before walking onto 6th Avenue and Van Buren.

Police said he approached a car traveling westbound and pointed a gun at the driver before firing the gun multiple times in different directions, police said.

He then pointed the gun at the officers as they arrived. Bolden allegedly ignored commands to drop the weapon but instead pointed the gun at the baby and then back at the officers, police said.

At that point, he was shot by a 31-year-old officer.

Phoenix police said the officer, who was not identified, has four years of service with the department.

No officers were hurt during the incident, authorities said.

An investigation is still ongoing.

It was the 1st shooting of the year involving Phoenix police, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM research.

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