ARIZONA NEWS

Tempe police release video of fatal shooting of Walmart shoplifting suspect

May 19, 2023, 10:55 AM

(Tempe Police/YouTube Screenshot)...

(Tempe Police/YouTube Screenshot)

(Tempe Police/YouTube Screenshot)

PHOENIX — Newly released body camera footage shows the moments leading up to when a Walmart shoplifting suspect wielding a box cutter was fatally shot by a Tempe police officer.

The Tempe Police Department released footage Thursday from when the officer responded to the Walmart at Priest Drive and Elliot Road around 7:30 p.m. May 9.

The initial call for service said the man appeared to be in his mid-20s and that he fled with stolen merchandise, including a Vizio sound bar.

The responding officer found a man matching the description of the suspect along the pedestrian-canal pathway north of the store, but the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Mathew Almanzar, fled when an attempt to stop him was made.

The officer caught up and took Almanzar to the ground. A struggle ensued that lasted about a minute. Police said Almanzar opened a blade, prompting the officer to stand up, back away and pull out his gun.

From a distance, the officer made repeated demands to get down on the ground, drop the weapon and to not move, but Almanzar didn’t comply and instead started crawling toward the officer.

The officer then fired one time, hitting Almanzar, who received medical care at the scene and died after being taken to a hospital.

The distance between Almanzar and the officer when the shooting happened was about 12 feet, Sgt. Hector Encinas said in the critical incident briefing video.

Police said the box cutter was located near Almanzar’s body. The reported stolen items were also found at the scene.

The officer involved in the shooting has been with the department for 20 years and was placed on administrative leave.

The incident is under review by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

A lottery ticket from an Avondale Fry's won $50,000 in a recent Powerball drawing....

Kevin Stone

Lottery ticket from West Valley supermarket wins $50,000 in Powerball

A lottery ticket purchased at an Avondale supermarket won $50,000 in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing.

49 minutes ago

vaccinating chickens egg prices...

Kevin Stone

Arizona egg farmer wants to vaccinate chickens from bird flu, but government won’t allow it

A prominent Arizona egg farmer says vaccinating chickens from the bird flu would lower prices, but the federal government won’t allow it.

2 hours ago

Valley events calendar...

KTAR.com

Valley events calendar: Here’s a rundown of things to do around metro Phoenix

Our Valley events calendar keeps you up to date on the wide variety of activities across the Phoenix area.

3 hours ago

The evacuation order for the Brady Fire was lifte on Wednesday....

KTAR.com

Evacuation order lifted for residents near Brady Fire south of Prescott

The evacuation order for a community threatened by the Brady Fire south of Prescott was lifted on Wednesday evening, authorities said.

5 hours ago

off-road vehicle crash...

Kevin Stone

2nd teen in off-road vehicle crash at Phoenix canal has died

The second teen involved in an off-road vehicle crash at a Phoenix canal last week has died, authorities announced Wednesday.

6 hours ago

Two men were injured on Wednesday night when a suspect opened fire at a group of unsheltered people...

Kevin Stone

Suspect opens fire at unsheltered people at Tempe park, injuring 3

Three people were injured on Wednesday night when a suspect opened fire at a group of unsheltered people in Tempe, authorities said.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

Tempe police release video of fatal shooting of Walmart shoplifting suspect