Domestic Violence and Hostage Situation

The incident started at approximately 3:15 p.m., when 911 callers reported a man fighting with a woman at a hotel in the area 7th Avenue and Van Buren Street. The callers also reported that a man was shooting at people and holding a baby hostage.

The second 911 call was from a woman who reported her husband had taken her baby and was shooting a gun.

As the suspect walked out of the hotel and onto Van Buren Street traffic, 911 callers saw the man hold a driver at gun point.

Officers arrived within a minute of the 911 calls and saw the suspect armed and shooting a gun while holding the baby.

Officers told the suspect to drop the gun and he refused. Two other officers arrived to help. An officer armed with his city issued rifle shot at the suspect when he saw the suspect point the gun at the baby and others.

The suspect was injured, and officers immediately ran to the baby and the driver of the white vehicle to move them to safety. 

After the shooting, Phoenix Fire personnel responded and transported the suspect to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He has been identified as 37-year-old Paul Bolden.

Officers also learned that the woman, who Bolden was fighting, was his girlfriend and the baby was his son. The baby was not injured during this incident.