ARIZONA NEWS

Tempe police release video of fatal shooting of Walmart shoplifting suspect

May 19, 2023, 10:55 AM

(Tempe Police/YouTube Screenshot)...

(Tempe Police/YouTube Screenshot)

(Tempe Police/YouTube Screenshot)

PHOENIX — Newly released body camera footage shows the moments leading up to when a Walmart shoplifting suspect wielding a box cutter was fatally shot by a Tempe police officer.

The Tempe Police Department released footage Thursday from when the officer responded to the Walmart at Priest Drive and Elliot Road around 7:30 p.m. May 9.

The initial call for service said the man appeared to be in his mid-20s and that he fled with stolen merchandise, including a Vizio sound bar.

The responding officer found a man matching the description of the suspect along the pedestrian-canal pathway north of the store, but the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Mathew Almanzar, fled when an attempt to stop him was made.

The officer caught up and took Almanzar to the ground. A struggle ensued that lasted about a minute. Police said Almanzar opened a blade, prompting the officer to stand up, back away and pull out his gun.

From a distance, the officer made repeated demands to get down on the ground, drop the weapon and to not move, but Almanzar didn’t comply and instead started crawling toward the officer.

The officer then fired one time, hitting Almanzar, who received medical care at the scene and died after being taken to a hospital.

The distance between Almanzar and the officer when the shooting happened was about 12 feet, Sgt. Hector Encinas said in the critical incident briefing video.

Police said the box cutter was located near Almanzar’s body. The reported stolen items were also found at the scene.

The officer involved in the shooting has been with the department for 20 years and was placed on administrative leave.

The incident is under review by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Stock photo of a Mexican flag. Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix will host the Spirits of Mexico ...

David Veenstra

Spirits of Mexico Culture & Tourism Fest coming to Phoenix this weekend

The Spirits of Mexico Culture & Tourism Fest is coming to Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix this weekend.

4 hours ago

Bus through residence...

Damon Allred

Valley Metro bus crashes into Mesa residence on Broadway

There was a multi-vehicle incident involving a Valley Metro bus in Mesa on Monday evening, the city reports.

4 hours ago

Police officer Josh Anderson was arrested over the weekend for his involvement in a fatal hit-and-r...

KTAR.com

Arizona police officer arrested in fatal hit-and-run crash

An Arizona police officer was arrested over the weekend for his involvement in a fatal hit-and-run, authorities said Monday.

7 hours ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: What’s a Border Patrol social media agent going to do to help amid the influx on migrants?

With a surge in migration, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol reduces social media account activity to move available staff for support of current operational challenges.

8 hours ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: Tucson Border Patrol to reduce social media presence, move available staff for operational support

With a surge in migration, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol reduces social media account activity to move available staff for support of current operational challenges. Larry Gaydos and Barry Markson discuss. Video: Jeremy Schnell and Felisa Cárdenas/KTAR News

8 hours ago

(KTAR News Graphic)...

Sponsored Content by Boys and Girls Club of the Valley

KTAR launches online holiday auction benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

KTAR is teaming up with The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley for a holiday auction benefitting thousands of Valley kids.

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

The 2023 Diamondbacks are a good example to count on the underdog

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the World Series as a surprise. That they made the playoffs at all, got past the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card round, swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and won two road games in Philadelphia to close out a full seven-game NLCS went against every expectation. Now, […]

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University: innovating Arizona health care education

Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus near Loop 101 and 59th Avenue is an established leader in health care education and one of Arizona’s largest and most valuable health care resources.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

Tempe police release video of fatal shooting of Walmart shoplifting suspect