Aggressive Driver Shot After Striking Officer During Traffic Stop

The incident began when a patrol officer with the Desert Horizon Precinct made a traffic stop on a car near 25th Street and Cactus Road. The officer got out of his marked patrol car and began speaking with the driver, who was already standing outside of his vehicle and being verbally confrontational. The officer explained the reason for the stop and asked for the man’s driver's license.

The man escalated his verbal attacks and demanded a supervisor while refusing to obey the officer’s request. The officer requested additional units as the man became increasingly aggressive and belligerent. The man’s aggressive demeanor and physical posturing towards the officer continued for several minutes until the man struck at the officer’s head, and a fight broke out. The investigation revealed the man grabbed at the officer’s holstered weapon, resulting in the officer-involved shooting.

Responding officers provided medical aid and applied a tourniquet to the man’s leg. The Phoenix Fire Department also responded and took the man to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The involved officer sustained multiple injuries as a result of the attack and was treated and released from the hospital.

The man was released from the hospital the following day and was booked into the Maricopa County Jail.