Peoria police officer shoots, kills man during fight in gas station parking lot

PHOENIX — A Peoria Police Department officer shot and killed a 32-year-old man Monday during a fight, according to authorities.

The officer observed a man acting suspiciously in the parking lot of a Shell gas station near 91st and Northern avenues around 4:15 p.m.

The man, later identified as 32-year-old Garrett Sheppard of Phoenix, was contacted by the officer and a few moments later, the man and the officer got into a fight.

During the fight, the officer observed a handgun and fired his service weapon, striking Sheppard in the torso, according to authorities.

Sheppard was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officer also suffered injuries to his lower extremities during the struggle, authorities said, but was released on scene after being checked out by medical professionals.

Authorities said they found a weapon near Sheppard’s body.

The officer has been with the department for nearly three years and will be placed on administrative leave, as per the department’s policy. His body camera was activated during the confrontation, a department spokesperson said.

No additional information was immediately available.

It was the first shooting of the year involving the Peoria Police Department and 24th overall by Valley law enforcement, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM research.

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