Phoenix police officer shoots man attacking him near 27th Avenue and McDowell Road

PHOENIX – A Phoenix police officer shot and seriously wounded a man during a confrontation outside a bus station early Wednesday, authorities said.

Police said the man was acting erratically inside the building near 27th Avenue and McDowell Road shortly before 5 a.m., then began violently attacking the officer working solo who responded to a call for service.

Initially, the two talked inside. After they went outside, the man became violent, police said.

The officer discharged his Taser at the unidentified man, who continued to fight. After the officer lost the less-lethal weapon in the struggle, he fired his service gun, Sgt. Melissa Soliz told reporters.

A few minutes later, more police arrived.

The suspect was hospitalized in serious but stable condition, Soliz said.

“The body-worn camera was activated by our officer out there,” she said.

Police don’t know why the man went there or where he was beforehand.

The investigation closed 27th Avenue in both directions at McDowell Road and was still blocked off at noon.

No one else was injured, police said.

It was the third shooting by Phoenix police since Sunday. Suspects were fatally shot in two of the incidents.

Officers shot and killed a suspect Monday at a home near 43rd and Southern avenues. The man was stabbing his wife with knives when police arrived. When the man did not comply with commands to drop the knives, an officer fired his service weapon.

On Sunday, officers shot a man who allegedly pulled out a gun while they tried to arrest him during a shooting investigation near 43rd Avenue and Encanto Boulevard around 6:45 p.m.

Chief Michael Sullivan was on-scene with officers after Wednesday’s shooting.

“Our chief was out here today, he was out here for the majority of the morning. We are all very aware of how many officer-involved shootings we’ve had. It’s concerning.

“[The chief] is taking this very seriously,” Soliz said.

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