By Emily Bittner, The Arizona Republic
Phoenix, Ariz. -- A Phoenix police officer fatally shot a car-theft suspect early Sunday after the man slashed him with a knife.
Officer Don Arnett and several other police officers went to a car dealership at 27th Avenue and Camelback Road after a security guard called to report a car being stolen, said Sgt. Lauri Williams, a spokeswoman for the Phoenix Police Department.
The security guard told police he saw two men slice a convertible top and try to push the car out of the dealership’s lot, Williams said.
The two men left the car in the lot, possibly because they couldn’t get past a chain blocking one of the entrances, Williams said.
One man walked out of the parking lot, and the other rode a bicycle.
Arnett stopped the man on the bike and grabbed his arm, she said.
“He turned and slashed a knife across the officer’s chest,” Williams said.
The two men wrestled briefly and Arnett shot the man at close range, Williams said.
Police did not release the identities of the suspects.
The man was declared dead at the scene. Arnett had minor injuries but was wearing a bulletproof vest, which protected him.
Arnett will be on routine paid administrative leave for three days while the incident is investigated, Williams said.
The other suspect and a third man, whose involvement was unclear, were questioned but have not been arrested, Williams said.