Glendale police kill 15-year-old after he allegedly reached for a gun inside stolen vehicle

PHOENIX — Police in Glendale on Wednesday shot and killed a 15-year-old who allegedly reached for a gun while he was inside a stolen vehicle, authorities said.

The incident started this morning when officers were notified of a stolen car near 91st and Glendale avenues, the Glendale Police Department said in a press release.

Shortly after 1:30 p.m., officers found the Toyota Corolla near 63rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road along with two occupants inside the vehicle. The person in the driver’s seat was a 15-year-old boy and the passenger was a 16-year-old boy.

Police said the suspect told them at some point that he had a gun in the car and as the police went to take the suspect into custody, he broke away from the detective and reached into the car where the gun was stored.

As he reached for the firearm, another officer saw and shot at the 15-year-old. The teen paused, then reached for the gun again and was shot by the officer.

He was struck multiple times and was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

The passenger of the car was taken into custody without incident.

A handgun was retrieved from the car where the teen was reaching, police said.

The West Valley Investigation team is handling the investigation of this case, with a detective from the Buckeye Police Department leading the investigation.

It was the second shooting this year involving Glendale Police and 31st for Valley law enforcement, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM research.

No other information was available.

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