Phoenix Police release video of officer fatally shooting man at mental health facility

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department on Tuesday released video of an officer who fatally shot a 22-year-old man armed with a knife at a mental health facility last month.

Video (WARNING: Graphic content) shows two officers approach the home near 111th Avenue and Camelback Road around 10 a.m. on July 19 and make contact with Matthew Begay.

An employee at the facility called police after Begay threatened to jump out of a second-story window.

The two officers spoke with Begay, who initially was standing at the base of the second floor with his hands in his pockets.

Police called twice for a mobile crisis team to assist with the situation. There was an initial arrival time of 25 minutes from the first emergency call, but the assignment was canceled after police were told all crisis team members were unavailable.

After 15 minutes of talking with Begay, he told officers he was trying to die and brandished a small knife.

The officers told Begay to drop the knife. Instead, Begay slowly moved down the stairs to the officers.

One officer used a Taser to slow Begay. Within three seconds of the Taser use, the other officer struck Begay with three gunshots.

Begay was taken to a hospital, where he died.

The officer who shot Begay has been with the department for two years and is assigned to the Maryvale Estrella Mountain Precinct.

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