Phoenix Police Fatally Shoot Man Armed With BB Gun

PHOENIX — A man died in a police shooting after he continuously pointed what officers believed to be a handgun at them, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

A news release from the department said that officers were called to the area around 23rd Avenue and Indian School Road at 2 a.m. Monday because a man was walking in the street and jumping in front of cars. A 911 caller said the man seemed to be under the influence of drugs.

When officers tried to talk to the man, he began to walk toward them with what looked like a handgun, police said.

"Officers ordered the man to drop the weapon, but he refused and continued walking towards them," Sgt. Mercedes Fortune, Phoenix police spokesperson, said in a statement. "The suspect pointed the handgun at the officers and they both fired their service weapons, striking the suspect who fell and was now lying on the ground refusing to drop the handgun."

Several officers from the Tactical Support Bureau arrived on the scene and deployed "less lethal" measures to encourage the man to drop his gun. He refused to comply and pointed the gun at officers again, Fortune said. Officers fired their weapons at him again.

A police dog was used to separate the man from his handgun before officers arrested him. Members of the Phoenix Fire Department rendered aid on the scene but the man died at the hospital. His handgun was later found to be a BB gun.

The four officers involved range in age from 28 to 52 with years of service ranging from two to 21. Their names have not been released. No information is currently known about the man who was killed.

No officers or witnesses were injured in the shooting. Investigators are asking anyone who was present or in the area at the time to call the Phoenix Police Department at 602 262-6151.