Avondale, Arizona — On February 21, 2023, around 12:30 p.m. police were called to a Family Dollar store near Dysart Road and Riley Drive for a reported shoplifting. A description of the man was given to police. Employees told officers that the same person had shoplifted from the store twice that day. Police said that a man matching the description was seen by an officer at the Agua Fria River bottom near 10th Street and Riley Drive. After activating his body camera, the video shows the officer approaching the suspect and telling him to keep his hands where he can see them. Police say the officer saw what appeared to be a “sharp tool” in the suspect’s waistband. He then attempts to put the suspect in handcuffs, getting one of the cuffs around his left hand before a struggle ensues. 

The body cam is obscured during the first few seconds before showing the officer on his back on the ground and the suspect standing over him. According to police, he was trying to choke the officer and attempted to reach for his duty weapon, which was still holstered. The officer was able to press the emergency button on his radio during the confrontation, but other officers had not yet arrived. The video then shows the officer get back on his feet, break away from the suspect and draw his gun. The officer then fired five shots as the suspect turned to run away. Paramedics pronounced the suspect dead at the scene, where police also recovered three knives. The Avondale officer, a six-year veteran of the department, was taken to the hospital for injuries on his neck and left hand.