Armed shoplifting suspect fatally shot by Phoenix police officers

PHOENIX — An armed shoplifting suspect was fatally shot by a Phoenix police officer Monday night, authorities said.

An officer on routine patrol was contacted by an employee at a convenience store near 35th Avenue, south of Interstate 10, around 11:45 p.m. and reported a shoplifting incident, Phoenix police said. The employee then identified two people nearby as suspects.

The officer followed the suspects as one fled south on 35th Avenue and the other fled east on Roosevelt Street. The officer pursued the man, who ran east.

What led to the fatal shooting of the armed shoplifting suspect?

As the officer approached the suspect, the man pulled out a handgun and began firing in the officer’s direction, police said. The Tahoe Police officer was attacked multiple times.

The officer then fired back at the suspect, striking him at least once, police said.

The suspect was arrested and taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The second suspect involved in the shoplifting has not been found.

Ann’s investigation into the incidents is ongoing.

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