Tempe police fatally shoot ‘violent and wanted’ suspect in Mesa

PHOENIX — Tempe police officers were involved in the fatal shooting of a suspect in Mesa on Wednesday morning.

Mesa police, who took over the investigation, said detectives from Tempe’s Fugitive Task Force Squad and Special Investigations Bureau were surveilling a “violent and wanted” fugitive from California around 9:30 a.m.

Officers followed the suspect into Mesa and tried to apprehend him near Extension Road and Southern Avenue.

During the confrontation, police said, officers “perceived a threat” and the shooting occurred.

We are currently on scene at Extension and Grove in Mesa for a police investigation. Extension is currently closed south of Southern and North of Grove. We will provide updates when we have them. pic.twitter.com/UocETJbv91

— Mesa Police Dept. (@MesaPD) January 22, 2020

The suspect was pronounced dead, and a gun was recovered at the scene.

No officers were injured.

The incident was the second officer-involved shooting in the Valley so far this year, according to statistics compiled by KTAR News 92.3 FM..

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