Phoenix police release body camera video of fatal shooting during mental health crisis

Phoenix police on Thursday released body camera footage of two officers fatally shooting a 20-year-old man who was experiencing a mental health crisis and cutting himself with a knife in a residential alley earlier this month.

Jonathan Delgado died Sept. 6 after officers shot him near 18th Avenue and Cheryl Drive. A family member had called 911 to report that Delgado was in a nearby alley, armed with a knife and trying to hurt himself.

The first officer on scene spoke with family and waited for a supervisor and a crisis intervention team certified officer to arrive before approaching.

When officers reached the alley, they found Delgado sitting on the ground cutting his own neck with a large knife, police said.

Body camera footage shows moments before the shooting

The officer’s body camera footage shows officers repeatedly telling Delgado to drop the knife.

“I promise you’re not in trouble. We’ll get you help,” one officer said. At one point, according to the footage, Delgado responds “Shoot me.”

Delgado stood up and walked away from officers, before turning toward them, according to police.

Officers used a Taser. It didn’t work, police said.

Delgado started running toward officers, still holding the knife, and two officers fired their weapons, striking him, police said.

Officers provided first aid, but the Phoenix Fire Department pronounced Delgado dead at the scene.

The two officers who fired are assigned to the Desert Horizon Precinct and have five and seven years of service, respectively.

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

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