ARIZONA NEWS

Watch: Mesa police officer, bystander help child who wasn’t breathing

Aug 30, 2023, 2:00 PM

(Mesa Police Screenshot)...

(Mesa Police Screenshot)

(Mesa Police Screenshot)

PHOENIX — A Mesa police officer was in the right place at the right time last month to help a mother whose baby wasn’t breathing.

Video shows Officer Shaquille Perez approached by a family at a light rail stop whose young boy had lost consciousness on July 23.

“I hear screaming and when I peep out this way from the other side where the train is at, mom comes out screaming for help,” Perez said.

Perez was at the stop to deal with a sleeping, non-compliant light rail passenger but his priorities changed instantly.

The mother handed her child to Perez, who was eventually approached by a bystander who was a retired paramedic.

The Good Samaritan placed the child in the back of Perez’s cruiser and he started breathing again.

Paramedics arrived to evaluate the child, who Mesa Police said is safe.

“It is an amazing feeling to know that I was able to intervene and help and potentially save that baby’s life,” Perez said.

We want to hear from you.

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

Arizona News

(Facebook Photo)...

Associated Press

Pilot killed in small plane crash near Eloy Municipal Airport

A pilot has been killed in a small plane crash in a vacant lot near Eloy Municipal Airport, about halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, police said.

9 hours ago

Firebird Motorsports Park....

KTAR.com

Chandler racing complex renamed Firebird Motorsports Park

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has a new name -- Firebird Motorsports Park.

11 hours ago

Pamela Andrews...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 68-year-old woman located

The Mesa Police Department canceled a Silver Alert on Saturday after locating Pamela Andrew, the Arizona Department of Safety says.

11 hours ago

Silver Alert...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 81-year-old found dead

John Saler, an 81-year-old who went missing in Tonopah on Wednesday, was found deceased, authorities said Saturday.

13 hours ago

Southwest Human Development...

KTAR.com

New Head Start early education center set to open in Phoenix

Southwest Human Development will host an open house for a new Head Start campus in Phoenix next week.

15 hours ago

caution tape...

KTAR.com

Woman charged with murdering her husband in west Valley home

A woman is behind bars for allegedly murdering her husband in their west Valley home, according to police.

17 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @iamdamonallred...

Avoid a potential emergency and get your home’s heating and furnace safety checked

With the weather getting colder throughout the Valley, the best time to make sure your heating is all up to date is now. 

Follow @KTAR923...

The best ways to honor our heroes on Veterans Day and give back to the community

Veterans Day is fast approaching and there's no better way to support our veterans than to donate to the Military Assistance Mission.

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, […]

Watch: Mesa police officer, bystander help child who wasn’t breathing