By Joanna Putman
Police1
PHOENIX — Phoenix police have released body camera footage showing a man grabbing an officer’s TASER before a fatal officer-involved shooting, KOLD reported.
The Oct. 20 incident began when officers responded to a trespassing call, according to the report. Callers stated that a man, who appeared impaired, was carrying a large knife and alarming customers in a store.
When officers arrived, the man retreated to a stockroom and climbed onto a freezer. He initially complied with officers’ orders to come down but resisted when they attempted to detain him, leading to a struggle.
Bodycam video shows the man pulling away as officers deployed a TASER, which briefly immobilized him before he regained footing and resisted again. During the altercation, the man grabbed an officer’s TASER and discharged it, appearing to stun both officers.
One officer then stood up and opened fire. Backup arrived shortly afterward, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report. Both officers involved were treated for minor injuries and released. A knife was recovered at the scene, and the incident remains under investigation.
