Bodycam shows deadly Tucson standoff between deputy, man with sword

On March 24, 2024, shortly after 2200 hours, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department responded to hotel located at 4855 S. Palo Verde Rd. For a report of a suspicious person. The 911 caller, an employee of the hotel, reported that an adult male was yelling outside of the hotel room and waving a sword.

Deputies arrived at the scene and found the male standing outside a hotel room, holding a sword. As they approached in their vehicles, the male sheathed the sword but continued to hold it when deputies approached on foot. Deputies established communication with the male, who made incoherent statements as deputies began to ask him questions. During this time, the suddenly removed the sword from the sheath and took an aggressive stance. Deputies quickly stepped back and gave commands for him to drop the sword. The male did not comply and began charging at deputies with the sword raised, prompting one deputy to discharge his department issued handgun, striking the male.

Deputies immediately began rendering aid by until Fire Department personnel arrived to continue life saving efforts. Despite these efforts, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.