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Critical Incident Briefing - February 27, 2026 - 1900 W Durango St.
WARNING: The attached video may contain strong language and graphic images that may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
The Phoenix Police Department has released a Critical Incident Briefing video related to an officer-involved shooting that involved the department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) on February 27, 2026.
This briefing focuses solely on the actions of officers with the Phoenix Police Department and does not include details regarding AZDPS activity.
Just after 9 p.m., Phoenix officers responded to assist AZDPS troopers with a traffic stop around 19th Avenue and Durango Street.
The Phoenix PD Air Support Unit helicopter was already overhead assisting AZDPS when they requested additional officers.
AZDPS had used a specialized device to immobilize a fleeing car. The driver tried to drive away but the car was still tethered to the trooper’s vehicle.
As the first Phoenix officers arrived on scene, a passenger from the car was being taken into custody. The driver then got out of the vehicle, laid on the ground, then got up and went back into the car.
The man tried to drive away again, while still tethered to the trooper’s vehicle, which caused it to move, impacting both a Phoenix officer and an AZDPS trooper.
Commands were continually given to the driver, but he did not comply. This is when the officer-involved shooting occurred.
After the shooting, the driver’s foot was still on the gas, causing the tires to spin in place.
A unit from Phoenix PD’s Tactical Support Bureau used a 37-millimeter less-lethal launcher, which fires a direct impact baton to gain compliance, to determine if it was safe to approach the driver. This tool is only used by members of the Tactical Support Bureau.
Once it was deemed safe, the driver was removed from the vehicle, where the Phoenix Fire Department pronounced him deceased on scene.
Both Phoenix officers involved in this shooting are assigned to the South Mountain Precinct, with one officer having two years of service and the other having less than one year of service with the department.
This incident is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the Major Incident Division of the Arizona Department of Public Safety and will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. It is also the subject of an administrative investigation.
Conclusions about whether the actions of the officer are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete.
This briefing is intended to inform and educate the public about a critical incident in our community. You can learn more about the Phoenix Police Department’s transparency policy at phoenix.gov/police/transparency.
