DPS identifies Mesa man shot and killed by officers on Loop 101 in Tempe

INDEPENDENT NEWS MEDIA

A 44-year-old Mesa man has been identified as the person shot by an Arizona police officer along Loop 101 in Tempe early Sunday, authorities said.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Lemonte Anthony Knobelock died after officials say he pulled out a handgun when he refused to follow commands while barricaded in a vehicle.

The officer attempted to make contact with the driver at approximately 1:58 a.m. on May 5th. The suspect had stopped his vehicle on the left shoulder of Loop 101 south of University Drive.

The vehicle matched the description of a vehicle that authorities had received reports of erratic driving behavior.

The shooting occurred around 2:26 a.m. after the driver brandished the gun.

No soldiers were injured, officials said.

The AZDPS Major Incident Unit is investigating.

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