Man wanted for assaulting Tolleson officer killed in Phoenix police shooting

PHOENIX – A man wanted in connection with an aggravated assault on a Tolleson police officer was shot and killed by Phoenix police after pointing a handgun at officers near downtown Phoenix on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The fatal incident occurred near Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road just after 10 a.m.

Officers with the department’s Special Assignments Unit were in the area after identifying the man, who was wanted out of Tolleson and also had outstanding felony warrants, police said.

The man parked his car in a parking lot and walked through an alley before officers attempted to make contact with him, according to police.

“When they tried to contact him, the man pointed a handgun at officers. He pointed the handgun a second time, and this is when the officer-involved shooting occurred,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Jen Zak said in an update posted to social media. “The man fell to the ground on top of his handgun.”

Officers rendered aid before Phoenix Fire crews transported the man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area while the scene was under investigation. McDowell Road was closed to traffic between Fifth and Seventh avenues and was expected to remain closed for several more hours.

The law enforcement activity was centered around the parking lot on the north side of McDowell Road between Dogtopia and Habit Burger & Grill.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety Major Incident Division is investigating the police shooting.

Police asked anyone with information or video of the incident to come forward.

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