PEORIA, AZ – A man suspected of possession of a firearm is dead following an encounter with a Peoria police officer on Monday night. According to Police Chief Thomas Intrieri, the incident happened near 91st and Peoria avenues at approximately 10:40 p.m.
An officer on patrol noticed a man behaving suspiciously at a bus stop outside a closed business. The man immediately fled upon the officer’s approach, leading to a brief chase that ended at a nearby Circle K parking lot. The man tripped and fell, after which he allegedly pulled a gun out from his waistband and aimed it at the pursuing officer. The officer, in response, shot the man. No harm came to the officer, a three-year veteran of the Peoria Police Department.
The 43-year-old suspect was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His identity still remains undisclosed until his next of kin is notified. The police revealed that a handgun was recovered from the crime scene. The intersection where the shooting occurred was temporarily shut down for investigation but has resumed operation.
Chief Intrieri expressed his relief that neither officers nor innocent bystanders were hurt. However, he highlighted his concerns over the alarming trend of firearm-related encounters with law enforcement officials. This marks the third such incident in Peoria city this month.
This incident is also the seventh officer-involved shooting in Maricopa County and the ninth throughout the state in the current year. The Glendale police department will undertake the investigation into this shooting, following regular protocol.